




I 




4 / 






JW 




» ifl .. _ ^ ^ 




[Uv 






• i 








( 





Class T^Z & 

Book 

CopiglitN? Wfir 



COPyRIGHT DEPOarr. 






• * 

'i 


1 TWi : 



* 1 . * 


>»' V. 


■r r- 


ifl 


H * ii, 

V'.. / 










V» 




$ '■ f i 


,\i?' . , , ,.; !, „,■. o 




*•■■ . '.'V 'r- ' 


.vvf* 


i.»5 






I ' 

, ■ ■’ ■' Vr' 


■ ; V»/ 



r- ■ yp 

\,“ • 




V. 


'j A 


'4 ^ 


M i 




' %' 




ft 




yyl-it 




I 'l -. 


• . '"J'’ W. 

.TA-' ■ '■ 

•vU-. 


IT' 


;j/r 






V "t ' \ •• 


I ■ 






ft V 




■<.. 


1.. •>:•■ 

• r * I* 




./ ' ^ >y^', • •»• I '* < ,' '-‘'w. i .'T^b 

** f V ■'^j< " 1** . • Wy< 






>4' 




* v 


-*'. . 




v- 






i= 


r» ’ 




r.^ 


hV. 




“ ■;• 4, .t .' f* »;•• '■ ' 


) * * ' I 1 ' r-^- 


S ■ ’.»: M 


M, 




. • I 


■': v...j‘ ■ ' ■' ; f, 

S'-Mfl '1 

»• ’jI . I* ’ -»• ^ 


’ " y,-..-' ’p- 

>■'■•': v,,.i‘ ■ ' ''■ : |';,‘ .■ /' A'.’ 


>V“ ■'■ n/ 


.f, 








TjI 


/•->.^ • • 


■^itX 


\o^v: 


‘ *• ■ ■ - .s^‘U.?WJUB5A 




'A V 


,>: 




‘ ' ''^Wq 



7.Tni 




L\(- 


u\ 


\ X 








3 1' 


r^i. 




,.,’N* ■' /• 


V. 




■jJSii ■ J ■■ 'ii AjJi i-rlffl 


, , '.f' y'fe*, 

i\.. {-'V ;>?! 


V 




'"'-■^ ' \j 'i'i'A.' , ^''1 

■^1 ' -^■'V,'^ V, 









s 


I 









V/ONDER-TALES FROM RUSSIA 


-1 



t • 


• r ** * 





I •* 




k. 


\ 






• "L » 


V • 


■t 






f 






f* ‘• 


I 


I 


I 


T 

% 


» 

♦ 







i 

I 



'♦ 

t 


I 

w- 


f 

I 


« 

s 


I r* 


I 




tf 



I 


I 




THEY RAN TO THE GOLDEN CASTLE. 
FRONTISPIECE, pcuje IS. 



Copyright^ i8go 
By Jeremiah Curtin 


Copyright^ iqi8 
By Mary Alma Curtin 


Copyright^ iq 2 i 

By Little, Brown, and Company 


All rights reserved 


Published October, 1911 


OCT 14 1921 



0)CIA627542 


us 3 TIm/, 



CONTENTS 


Page 


The Three Kingdoms, — The Copper, the Silver, and 
THE Golden i 

Ivan Tsarevich, The Fire-Bird, and the Gray Wolf . 20 

Ivan the Peasant’s Son and the Little Man Himself 
One-Finger Tall, his Mustache Seven Versts in 
Length 37 

The Feather of Bright Finist the Falcon 47 

The Pig with Gold Bristles, the Deer with Golden 
Horns, and the Golden-Maned Steed with Golden 
Tail 59 

Water of Youth, Water of Life, and Water of Death 72 

The Footless and Blind Champions 82 

The Three Kingdoms 97 

Koshchei Without-Death 106 

Vassilissa Golden Tress, Bareheaded Beauty 124 

The Ring with Twelve Screws 137 

The Footless and the Blind 149 

KosHCHfi Without-Death 165 

Go to the Verge of Destruction and Bring Back 
Shmat-Razum 179 


VI 


Contents. 


Page 


Makya Morevna 203 

Variant of the Rescue of Ivan Tsarevich and the Winning 
of the Colt • 217 

Yelena the Wise 218 

The Seven Simeons, Full Brothers 228 

The Enchanted Princess 238 

Vasshjssa the Cunning, and the Tsar of the Sea . . 


249 



ILLUSTRATIONS 


They ran to the golden castle’ 


Frontispiece 

Page 




Next day the beautiful 'maiden sat again on the shore 

OF THE BLUE SEA 

Raven son of Raven soared high, high 


57*^ 

lOI^ 


They swam through the sea, were a long time swimming 



She began to swell, and swelled until she was as big 

as a stack of hay 194^ 

At last he flew to the end of the world, where there 

was a hut and no road beyond 245^^ 





f 


I • I 




»• . 


I y 

, s ■ ' 

I 


^ ;• i.' ^ ^ < 

r\l 


r • 




.* / 

V- , 

• t' > s ; 

A t J 






V 


« I 

< • ■ * 


I • I 




/. ■ /' 


WONDER-TALES FROM RUSSIA. 


THE THREE KINGDOMS, — THE COPPER, THE 
SILVER, AND THE GOLDEN. 

I N a certain kingdom in a certain land lived a 
Tsar, — Bail Bailyanyin. He had a wife, Nas- 
tasya, Golden Tress, and three sons, — Pyotr Tsare- 
vich, Vassili Tsarevich, and Ivan Tsarevich. The 
Tsaritsa went with her maidens and nurses to walk 
in the garden. All at once such a mighty Whirlwind 
rose that, God save us ! it caught the Tsaritsa and 
bore her it was unknown whither. 

The Tsar was grieved and distressed, and knew 
not what to do. His sons grew up, and he said 
to them : “ My dear children, which of you will go 
to seek your mother?” 

The two elder brothers made ready and went. 
After they had gone, the youngest begged permis- 
sion of his father. No,” said the Tsar, “ go not, my 
dear son ; do not leave me an old man in loneliness.” 

“ Let me go, father ; I want awfully to wander 
over the white world and find my mother.” 


I 


2 Wonder-Tales from Russia, 

The Tsar dissuaded and dissuaded, but could 
not convince him. “ Well, there is no help for it, 
go ; God be with thee ! ” 

Ivan saddled his good steed and set out. . He 
rode and rode, whether it was long or short : a tale 
is soon told, but a deed is not soon done ; he came 
to a forest In that forest was the richest of castles. 
Ivan Tsarevich entered a broad court, saw an old 
man, and said, “ Many years’ health to thee ! ” 

“We beg the favor of thy presence. Who art 
thou, gallant youth?” 

“ I am Ivan Tsarevich, the son of Tsar Bail Baily- 
anyin and of Tsaritsa Nastasya, Golden Tress.” 

“ Oh, my own nephew ! Whither is God bearing 
thee?” 

“ For this cause and that,” said he, “ I am in 
search of my mother. Canst thou not tell me, uncle, 
where to find her?” 

“No, nephew, I cannot; with what I am able, 
with that I do service. But here is a ball ; throw it 
ahead, it will roll on before thee and lead thee to 
steep, rugged mountains. In those mountains is a 
cave, enter it; take there iron claws, put them on 
thy hands and thy feet, and climb up the moun- 
tains. Perhaps thou wilt find there thy mother, 
Nastasya, Golden Tress.” 

That was good aid. Ivan Tsarevich took leave of 
his uncle, and threw the ball before him; the ball 
rolled and rolled on, he rode behind it. Whether it 


The Three Kingdoms, 


3 


was long or short, he saw his brothers, Pyotr Tsare- 
vich and Vassili Tsarevich. They were encamped in 
the open field with thousands of troops. His broth- 
ers were surprised, and asked, “ Where art thou 
going, Ivan Tsarevich?” 

“ Oh ! ” said he, “ I grew weary at home, and I 
thought of going to look for my mother. Send your 
army home, and let us go on together.” 

They sent home the army, and the three went 
on together after the ball. While yet at a distance 
they saw the mountains, — such steep and lofty 
mountains that, God save us ! they touched the 
heavens with their heads. The ball rolled straight 
to a cave. Ivan Tsarevich slipped down from his 
horse and said to his brothers, “ Here, brothers, is 
my good steed; I will go up on the mountains to 
look for my mother, and ye remain here. Wait for 
me just three months. If I am not here in three 
months, there will be no use in waiting longer.” 

The brothers thought, but how could a man 
climb these mountains? He would break his head 
there. 

“Well,” said they, '‘go, with God; we will wait 
for thee here.” 

Ivan approached the cave ; he saw that the door 
was of iron. He struck it with all his strength. It 
opened, he entered; iron claws went on to his feet 
and hands of themselves. He began to climb the 
mountains, — climb, climb; he toiled a whole month, 


4 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


reaching the top with difficulty. “ Well,” said he, 
glory be to God ! ” He rested a little, and walked 
along on the mountain ; walked and walked, w'alked 
and walked, saw a copper castle, at the gate terri- 
ble serpents fastened with copper chains, crowds of 
them ; and right there was a well, and at the well a 
copper bucket hung by a copper chain. Ivan Tsare- 
vich drew water and gave the serpents to drink. 
They became quiet, lay down, and he passed into 
the court. 

The Tsaritsa of the Copper Kingdom ran out to 
meet him. ‘‘Who art thou, gallant youth?” 

“ I am Ivan Tsarevich.” 

“ Well, hast thou come of thy own will, or against 
thy will?” 

“ Of my own will ; I am in search of my mother, 
Nastasya, Golden Tress. A certain Whirlwind bore 
her away out of the garden. Dost thou know where 
she is? ” 

“No; but not far from here lives my second 
sister, the Tsaritsa of the Silver kingdom, — maybe 
she will tell thee.” 

She gave him a copper ball and a copper ring. 
“ The ball,” said she, “ will lead thee to my second 
sister, and in this ring is the whole Copper Kingdom. 
When thou overcomest Whirlwind, who keeps me 
here and flies to me once in three months, forget me 
not, poor woman, rescue me from this place, and 
take me with thee to the free world.” 


The Three Kingdoms, 


5 


“ I will,” said Ivan Tsarevich. He threw the cop- 
per ball before him; the ball rolled ahead, and he 
followed after. He came to the Silver Kingdom and 
saw a castle finer than the first, all silver; at the gate 
were terrible serpents fastened to silver chains, and 
at the side of them was a well with a silver bucket. 
Ivan Tsarevich drew water and gave the serpents to 
drink. They lay down then, and let him enter the 
castle. The Tsaritsa of the Silver Kingdom came 
out. 

“ It will soon be three years,” said she, “ since 
mighty Whirlwind confined me here, and no Russian 
have I heard with hearing, or seen with sight; but 
now a Russian I see. Who art thou, good youth ? ” 

“ I am Ivan Tsarevich.” 

How didst thou happen hither, — with thy own 
will, or against thy will? ” 

“With my own will; I am in search of my mother. 
She went in the green garden to walk, Whirlwind 
came and bore her away, it is unknown whither. 
Canst thou not tell me where to find her? ” 

“ No, I cannot ; but not far from here lives my eld- 
est sister, the Tsaritsa of the Golden Kingdom, Yelena 
the Beautiful, — maybe she will tell thee. Here is 
a silver ball, roll it ahead and follow; it will lead 
thee to the Golden Kingdom. But see, when thou 
hast killed Whirlwind, forget me not, poor woman ; 
rescue me from this place, and take me to the free 
world. Whirlwind holds me captive, and flies hither 


6 


Wonaer-Tales from Russia* 


once in two months.” Then she gave him a silver 
ring, saying, “In this ring is the whole Silver 
Kingdom.” 

Ivan rolled the ball ; wherever it went he followed. 
Whether it was long or short, he saw a golden castle 
gleaming like fire ; at the gate was a crowd of ter- 
rible serpents fastened to golden chains, and right 
there a well, at the well a golden bucket on a golden 
chain. Ivan Tsarevich drew water, and gave the ser- 
pents to drink ; they lay down and were soothed. He 
entered the palace ; Yelena the Beautiful met him. 

“Who art thou, gallant youth? ” 

“ I am Ivan Tsarevich.” 

“ How hast thou come hither, — of thy own will, or 
against thy will ? ” 

“ I came of my own will ; I am in search of my 
mother, Nastasya, Golden Tress. Knowest thou not 
where to find her?” 

“ Why should n’t I know? She lives not far from 
here. Whirlwind flies to her once a week, and to 
me once a month. Here is a golden ball for thee : 
throw it ahead and follow, — it will lead thee to thy 
mother. And take besides this golden ring; in this 
ring is the whole Golden Kingdom. And be careful 
when thou hast conquered Whirlwind. Forget me not, 
poor woman ; take me with thee to the free world.” 

“ I will take thee,” said he. 

Ivan Tsarevich rolled the ball and followed after; 
he went and went till he came to such a palace that. 


The Three Kingdoms. 


7 


Lord sare us ! it was just blazing with diamonds and 
precious stones. At the gate six-headed serpents 
were hissing. Ivan Tsarevich gave them to drink; 
the serpents were soothed, and let him pass to the 
castle. He went through the great chambers, and 
in the most distant found his own mother. She was 
sitting on a lofty throne arrayed in Tsaritsa’s robes 
and crowned with a costly crown. She looked at 
the stranger and cried : “ Ah ! is that thou, my dear 
son? How hast thou come hither? ” 

So and so,” said Ivan ; “ I have come for thee.” 

** Well, dear son, ’t will be hard for thee. Here 
in these mountains reigns Whirlwind, the evil and 
mighty, all spirits obey him; he is the one that 
bore me away. Thou wilt have to fight him; come 
quickly to the cellar.” 

They went to the cellar ; there were two tubs of 
water, one on the right, the other on the left hand. 

Drink,” said the Tsaritsa, '' from the right-hand 
tub.” 

Ivan drank. 

“ Well, what strength is in thee? ” 

“ I am so strong that I could turn the whole cas- 
tle over with one hand.” 

“ Then drink more.” 

Ivan drank again. 

“ What strength is in thee now?” 

“ If I wished, I could turn the whole world over.” 

“That is very great strength. Move these tubs 


8 


Wonder- Tales from Russia, 


from one place to the other: put that on the right 
to the left, that on the left take to the right.*' 

Ivan interchanged the tubs. 

“ Thou seest, my dear son, in one tub is water of 
strength, in the other water of weakness. Whoso 
drinks from the first will be a strong, mighty hero ; 
whoso drinks from the second will grow weak al- 
together. Whirlwind always drinks the water of 
strength and puts it on the right side; so we 
must deceive him, or thou canst never overcome 
him.” 

They returned to the castle. 

** Soon Whirlwind will fly home,” said the Tsaritsa 
to Ivan Tsarevich. “ Sit under my purple robe, so 
that he may not see thee ; and when he comes and 
runs to embrace and kiss me, do thou seize his club. 
He will rise high, high ; he will bear thee over seas, 
over precipices : but see to it, let not the club go out 
of thy hand. Whirlwind will grow tired, will want 
to drink the water of strength, will come down to the 
cellar and rush to the tub placed on the right hand ; 
but do thou drink from the tub on the left. Then he 
will grow weak; wrest his sword from him, and with 
one blow hew off his head. When his head is off, 
that moment there will be voices behind thee crying, 
* Strike again, strike again.* Strike not, my son, but 
say in answer, hero’s hand strikes not twice, but 
always once.* ” 

Ivan Tsarevich had barely hidden under the robe 


The Three Kingdoms, 


9 


when the court grew dark and everything trembled. 
Whirlwind flew home, struck the earth, became a 
brave hero, and entered the castle, in his hands a 
club. 

“ Tfu, tfu, tfu ! somehow it smells of Russia here. 
Was any one visiting? ” 

“ I don’t know why it seems so to thee,” said the 
Tsaritsa. 

Whirlwind rushed to embrace her; but Ivan that 
moment seized the club. 

** I ’ll eat thee ! ” shouted Whirlwind. 

“ Well, grandmother spoke double ; either thou 
wilt eat, or thou wilt not.” 

Whirlwind tore out through the window and up to 
the sky ; he bore Ivan Tsarevich away. Over moun- 
tains he said, “ I will smash thee ; ” over seas he said, 
“I will drown thee.” But Ivan did not let the club out 
of his hands. Whirlwind flew over the whole world, 
wearied himself out, and began to sink. He came 
down straight into the cellar, rushed to the tub on 
the right hand, and fell to drinking the water of 
weakness ; but Ivan ran to the left, drank his fill of 
the water of strength, and became the first mighty 
hero in the whole world. He saw that Whirlwind 
had become utterly weak, wrested the sharp sword 
from him, and cut off his head with a blow. Voices 
cried behind, “ Strike again, strike again, or he will 
come to life!” ‘‘No,” said Ivan; “a hero’s hand 
strikes not twice, but always finishes at a blow.” 


lo Wonder-Tales from Russia. 

Straightway he made a fire, burned the body and 
the head, scattered the ashes to the wind. 

The mother of Ivan Tsarevich was glad. “ Now, 
my dear son,” said she, “ let us rejoice. We will eat; 
and then for home with all speed, for it is wearisome 
here, — there are no people.” 

“But who serves thee? ” 

“ Thou wilt see directly.” 

They had barely thought of eating, when a table 
set itself, and various meats and wines appeared on 
the table of themselves. The Tsaritsa and the Tsare- 
vich dined. Meanwhile unseen musicians played 
wonderful songs for them. They ate and drank, and 
when they had rested, Ivan said, — 

“ Let us go, mother, it is time ; for under the 
mountains my brothers are waiting. And on the 
road I must save three Tsaritsas who are living in 
Whirlwind’s castles.” 

They took everything needful and set out on the 
journey. They went first to the Tsaritsa of the 
Golden Kingdom, then to her sisters of the Silver 
and Copper Kingdoms. They took them, and 
brought linen and all kinds of stuffs. In a short 
time they reached the place where they had to go 
down the mountain. 

Ivan Tsarevich let his mother down first on the 
linen, then Yelena the Beautiful and her two sisters. 
The brothers were standing below waiting, and they 
thought to themselves, “ Let us leave Ivan Tsarevich 


The Three Kingdoms, 


II 


up there; we will take our mother and the three 
Tsaritsas to our father, and say that we found them.” 
“ I ’ll take Yelena the Beautiful for myself,” said 
Pyotr Tsarevich ; “thou, Vassili, wilt have the 
Tsaritsa of the Silver Kingdom ; and we will 
give the Tsaritsa of the Copper Kingdom to some 
general.” 

When it was time for Ivan Tsarevich to come 
down from the mountain, his elder brothers seized 
the linen, pulled and tore it away. Ivan remained 
on the mountain. What could he do? He wept 
bitterly; then turned back, walked and walked over 
the Copper Kingdom, over the Silver Kingdom and 
the Golden Kingdom, — not a soul did he see. He 
came to the Diamond Kingdom, — no one there 
either. What was he to do alone, — deathly weari- 
ness ! He looked around ; on the window of the 
castle a whistle was lying. He took it in his hand. 
“ Let me play from weariness,” said he. He had 
barely blown when out sprang Lame and Crooked. 

“ What is thy pleasure? ” 

Said Ivan Tsarevich, “ I want to eat.” That mo- 
ment, from wherever it came, a table was set, and 
on the table the very best food. Ivan Tsarevich ate 
and thought, “ Now it would not be bad to rest.” 
He blew on the whistle. Lame and Crooked 
appeared. 

“ What is thy pleasure, Ivan Tsarevich? ” 

“ That a bed be ready.” The word was n’t out of 


12 


Wonder- Tales from Russia, 


his mouth when the bed was ready. He lay down 
slept splendidly, then whistled again. 

“ What is thy pleasure i ” asked Lame and Crooked. 

“ Everything can be done, then? ” 

“ Everything is possible, Ivan Tsarevich. Who- 
ever blows that whistle, we will do everything for 
him. As we served Whirlwind before, so we are 
glad to serve thee now ; it is only necessary to keep 
the whistle by thee at all times.” 

“ Well,” said Ivan, “ let me be in my own kingdom 
this minute.” 

He had barely spoken when he appeared in his 
own kingdom, in the middle of the market square. 
He was walking along the square, when a shoemaker 
came toward him, — such a jolly fellow ! The Tsare- 
vich asked: Whither art thou going, good man?” 

“ I am taking shoes to sell ; I am a shoemaker.” 

“ Take me into thy service,” said Ivan. 

“ Dost thou know how to make shoes ? ” 

“ Yes, I can do everything. I can make not only 
shoes, but clothes.” 

Well, come on.” 

They went to his house. The shoemaker said: 
‘‘ Go to work ; here is leather for thee, — the best 
kind ; I ’ll see what skill thou hast.” 

Ivan Tsarevich went to his own room, and took out 
the whistle. Lame and Crooked came. What is 
thy pleasure, Ivan Tsarevich ? ” 

“ To have shoes ready by to-morrow.” 


The Three Kingdoms. 


13 


“ Oh, that is not work, that is play ! ” 

“ Here is the leather.” 

“ What sort of leather is that? That ’s trash, noth- 
ing more ; that should go out of the window.” 

Next morning Ivan Tsarevich woke up; on the 
table were beautiful shoes, the very best. 

The shoemaker rose. “ Well, young man, hast thou 
made the shoes? ” 

They are finished.” 

“ Well, show them.” He looked at the shoes and 
was astonished. “ See what a man I have got for my- 
self, — not a shoemaker, but a wonder ! ” He took 
the shoes and carried them to the market to sell. 

At that same time three weddings were in prepara- 
tion at the palace. Pyotr Tsarevich was to marry 
Yelena the Beautiful, Vassili Tsarevich the Tsaritsa 
of the Silver Kingdom, and they were giving the 
Tsaritsa of the Copper Kingdom to a general. They 
were making dresses for those weddings. Yelena 
the Beautiful wanted shoes. Our shoemaker's shoes 
were better than all the others brought to the 
palace. 

When Yelena looked at them she said, What 
does this mean? They make shoes like these only 
in the mountains.” She paid the shoemaker a large 
price and said, Make me without measure another 
pair wonderfully sewed, ornamented with precious 
stones, and studded with diamonds. They must be 
ready by to-morrow ; if not, to the gallows with thee,” 


14 Wonder-Tales from Russia. 

The shoemaker took the precious stones and money 
and went home, — such a gloomy man I “ Misery,” 
said he, “ what am I to do now? How can I make 
shoes by to-morrow, and besides without measure? 
It is clear that they will hang me to-morrow ; let me 
have at least a last frolic with my friends.” 

He went to the inn. These friends of his were 
numerous; they asked, ^‘Why art thou so gloomy, 
brother? ” 

“ Oh, my dear friends,” answered he, “ they are 
going to hang me to-morrow ! ” 

Why so?” 

The shoemaker told his trouble. How think of 
work in such a position? Better I ’ll frolic to-night 
for the last time.” 

So they drank and drank, frolicked and frolicked ; 
the shoemaker was staggering already. 

“ Well,” said he, “ I ’ll take home a keg of spirits, 
lie down to sleep ; and to-morrow when they come 
to hang me, I ’ll drink a gallon and a half right away. 
Let them hang me without my senses.” 

He came home. ** Well, thou reprobate ! ” said 
he to Ivan Tsarevich, “ see what thy shoes have done 
. . . so and so. . . . When they come in the morn- 
ing for me, wake me up.” 

In the night Ivan Tsarevich took out the whistle 
and blew. Lame and Crooked appeared. “ What is 
thy pleasure, Ivan Tsarevich? ” 

That shoes of such a kind be ready.” 


The Three Kingdoms, 


15 


“ We obey ! ” 

Ivan lay down to sleep. Next morning he woke 
up; the shoes were on the table shining like fire. 
He went to rouse his master. 

“ It is time to rise, master.” 

What! have they come for me? Bring the keg 
quickly I Here is a cup, pour the spirits in ; let them 
hang me drunk.” 

“ But the shoes are made.” 

“ How made? Where are they? ” 

The master ran and saw them. “ But when did we 
make them ? ” 

“ In the night. Is it possible that thou dost not 
remember when we cut and sewed ? ” 

Oh, I Ve slept so long, brother I I barely, barely 
remember.” 

He took the shoes, wrapped them up, and ran to 
the palace. 

Yelena the Beautiful saw the shoes and knew what 
had happened. “ Surely,” she thought, “ the spirits 
made these for Ivan Tsarevich. — How didst thou 
make these ? ” asked she of the shoemaker. 

“ Oh ! I know how to do everything.” 

“ If that is the case, make me a wedding robe em- 
broidered with gold, ornamented with diamonds and 
precious stones; let it be ready to-morrow morning: 
if not, off with thy head i ” 

The shoemaker went home again gloomy, and his 
friends were long waiting for him. Well, what is it ? ” 


i6 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


Nothing but cursedness. The destroyer of Chris- 
tian people has come ; she commanded me to make 
her a robe with gold and precious stones by to-mor- 
row morning: and what sort of a tailor am I? They 
will take my head surely to-morrow.” 

** Ah I brother, the morning is wiser than the even- 
ing ; let us. go and frolic.” 

They went to the inn, they drank and frolicked; 
the shoemaker got tipsy again, brought home a whole 
keg of spirits, and said to Ivan Tsarevich : Now, 
young fellow, when thou wilt rouse me in the morn- 
ing I ’ll toss off three gallons ; let them cut the head 
off me drunk. I could n’t make such a robe in a life- 
time.” The shoemaker lay down to sleep and snored. 

Ivan Tsarevich blew on the whistle, and Lame 
and Crooked appeared. ‘‘ What is thy pleasure, 
Tsarevich? ” 

‘‘ That a robe be ready by to-morrow morning 
exactly such as Yelena the Beautiful wore in Whirl- 
wind’s house.” 

We obey; it will be ready.” 

Ivan Tsarevich woke at daylight ; the robe was on 
the table, shining like fire, so that the whole chamber 
was lighted up. Then he roused his master, who 
rubbed his eyes and asked, “ What ! have they come 
to cut my head off? Give the spirits here this 
minute.” 

But the robe is ready.” 

“ Is that true ? When did we make it? 


The Three Kingdoms, 


17 


In the night, of course ; dost thou not remember 
cutting it thyself? ” 

“ Ah, brother, I just remember, — see it as in a 
dream ! ” 

The shoemaker took the robe and ran to the palace. 

Yelena the Beautiful gave him much money and 
the command, See that to-morrow by daylight the 
Golden Kingdom be on the sea, seven versts from 
shore, and from it to our palace let there be a golden 
bridge with costly velvet spread upon it, and at the 
railings on both sides let wonderful trees be growing, 
and let there be wonderful song-birds singing, with 
various voices. If thou wilt not have it done by 
morning, I ’ll give orders to quarter thee.” 

The shoemaker went from Yelena the Beautiful 
with drooping head. His friends met him. Well, 
brother? ” 

“ What well ! I am lost ; to-morrow I shall be 
quartered. She gave me such a task that no devil 
could do it.” 

‘‘ Oh, never mind ! the morning is wiser than the 
evening ; let us go to the inn.” 

** Well, let us go ; at the last parting we must have 
a carousal at least.” 

They drank and drank ; and towards evening the 
shoemaker drank so much they had to lead him 
home. “Farewell, young fellow,” said he to Ivan; 
** to-morrow they will put me to death.” 

“ But has a new task been given ? ” 


i8 


Wonder-Tales from Russia* 


“Yes, so and so, so and so.” He lay down and 
snored; but Ivan Tsarevich went straight to his 
room, and blew on the whistle. Lame and Crooked 
appeared. 

“What is thy pleasure, Ivan Tsarevich?” 

“ Can ye do me such a work as this? ” 

“ Ivan Tsarevich, this is a work indeed. But there 
is no avoiding it ; toward morning all will be ready.” 

When daylight began to come, Ivan woke up, 
looked out of the window. Fathers ! everything 
was ready as asked for. A golden castle was gleam- 
ing like fire. He roused his master, who sprang up. 
“Well, have they come for me? Give the keg here 
this minute ! ” 

“ But the palace is ready.” 

“ What dost thou say? ” 

The shoemaker looked through the window and 
said, “ Ah ! ” in astonishment, “ how was that done? ” 

“Dost thou not remember how thou and I 
fixed it?” 

“Yes, it is clear that I have slept too soundly; 
I barely, barely remember.” 

They ran to the golden castle; in it was wealth 
untold, unseen. 

Said Ivan Tsarevich: “Here, master, is a wing, go 
and dust the railing of the bridge ; and if they come 
and ask who lives in the palace, say thou nothing, 
but give this letter.” 

“Very well.” 


The Three Kingdoms, 


19 


The shoemaker went to dust the railing of the 
bridge. 

In the morning Yelena the Beautiful woke up ; she 
saw the golden castle, and ran straight to the Tsar. 
“ See what is done in our place ! There is a golden 
palace on the sea, and from that palace a golden 
bridge seven versts long; and on both sides of the 
bridge wonderful trees are growing, and song-birds 
are singing in various voices.” 

The Tsar sent immediately to ask what that meant? 
Had not some hero come to his kingdom? The mes- 
sengers came to the shoemaker, asked him. I know 
not, but there is a letter to thy Tsar.” In that letter 
Ivan Tsarevich related everything to his father as it 
was, — how he had liberated his mother, won Yelena 
the Beautiful, and how his elder brothers had de- 
ceived him. With the letter Ivan Tsarevich sent' 
golden carriages, and begged the Tsar and Tsaritsa to 
come to him. Let Yelena the Beautiful and her sisters 
and his brothers be brought behind in simple wagons. 

All assembled at once and started. Ivan Tsarevich 
met them with joy. The Tsar wished to put his elder 
sons to death for their untruths ; but Ivan Tsarevich 
implored his father, and they were forgiven. Then 
began a mountain of a feast. Ivan Tsarevich mar- 
ried Yelena the Beautiful. They gave the Tsaritsa 
of the Silver Kingdom to Pyotr Tsarevich, the Tsa- 
ritsa of the Copper Kingdom to Vassili Tsarevich, 
and made the shoemaker a general. 


IVAN TSAREVICH, THE FIRE-BIRD, AND THE 
GRAY WOLF. 


I N a certain kingdom, in a certain land, lived Tsar 
Vwislav Andronovich ; he had three sons, — 
Dmitri Tsarevich, Vassili Tsarevich, and Ivan Tsare- 
vich. Tsar Vwislav had a garden so rich that in no 
land was there better. In the garden grew many 
precious trees, with fruit and without fruit. 

Tsar Vwislav had one favorite apple-tree, and on 
that tree grew apples all golden. The Fire-bird used 
to fly to the garden of Tsar Vwislav. She had wings 
of gold, and eyes like crystals of the East; and she 
used to fly to that garden every night, sit on the 
favorite apple-tree, pluck from it golden apples, and 
then fly away. 

The Tsar grieved greatly over that apple-tree be- 
cause the Fire-bird plucked from it many apples. 
Therefore he called his three sons and said : “ My 
dear children, whichever one of you can catch the 
Fire-bird in my garden and take her alive, to him 
will I give during my life one half of the kingdom, 
and at my death I will give it all.” 

Then the sons cried out in one voice : ** Gracious 
sovereign, our father, we will try with great pleasure 
to take the Fire-bird alive.” 


Ivan^ the Bird^ and the Wolf, 


21 


The first night Dmitri Tsarevich went to watch in 
the garden, and sat under the apple-tree from which 
the Fire-bird had been plucking the apples. He 
fell asleep, and did not hear the Fire-bird when she 
came, nor when she plucked many apples. 

Next morning Tsar Vwislav called his son Dmitri 
Tsarevich, and asked, “ Well, my dear son, hast 
thou seen the Fire-bird?” 

No, gracious sovereign, my father, she came not 
last night.” 

The next night Vassili Tsarevich went to the gar- 
den to watch the Fire-bird. He sat under the same 
apple-tree, and in a couple of hours fell asleep so 
soundly that he did not hear the Fire-bird when she 
came nor when she plucked apples. 

Next morning Tsar Vwislav called him and asked, 
“ Well, my dear son, hast thou seen the Fire-bird? ” 
Gracious sovereign, my father, she came not last 
night.” 

The third night Ivan Tsarevich went to watch in 
the garden, and sat under the same apple-tree. He 
sat an hour, a second, and a third. All at once the 
whole garden was lighted up as if by many fires. 
The Fire-bird flew hither, perched on the apple-tree, 
and began to pluck apples. Ivan stole up to her so 
warily that he caught her tail, but could not hold the 
bird, she tore off, flew away; and there remained 
in the hand of Ivan Tsarevich but one feather of the 
tail, which he held very firmly. 


22 


Wonder-Tales from Russia* 

Next morning, the moment Tsar Vwislav woke 
from his sleep, Ivan Tsarevich went to him and gave 
him the feather of the Fire-bird. The Tsar was 
greatly delighted that his youngest son had been 
able to get even one feather of the Fire-bird. This 
feather was so wonderful and bright that when car- 
ried into a dark chamber it shone as if a great multi- 
tude of tapers were lighted in that place. Tsar 
Vwislav put the feather in his cabinet as a thing to be 
guarded forever. From that time forth the Fire-bird 
flew to the garden no more. 

Tsar Vwislav again called his sons, and said : My 
dear children, I give you my blessing. Set out, find 
the Fire-bird, and bring her to me alive; and what 
I promised at first he will surely receive who brings 
me the bird.” 

Dmitri and Vassili Tsarevich began to cherish 
hatred against their youngest brother because he 
had pulled the feather from the tail of the Fire-bird. 
They took their father’s blessing, and both went to 
find the Fire-bird. Ivan Tsarevich too began to beg 
his father’s blessing. The Tsar said to him : ‘‘ My 
dear son, my darling child, thou art still young, 
unused to such a long and difficult journey: why 
shouldst thou part from me? Thy brothers have 
gone; now, if thou goest too, and all three of you 
fail to return for a long time (I am old, and walk 
under God), and if during your absence the Lord 
takes my life, wjio would rule in my place? There 


Ivan^ the Bird, and the Wolf, 


23 


might be rebellion too, or disagreement among our 
people, — there would be no one to stop it ; or if 
an enemy should invade our land, there would be 
no one to command our men.” 

But no matter how the Tsar tried to detain Ivan 
Tsarevich, he could not avoid letting him go at his 
urgent prayer. Ivan Tsarevich took a blessing of 
his father, chose a horse, and rode away ; he rode on, 
not knowing himself whither. 

Riding by the path by the road, whether it was 
near or far, high or low, a tale is soon told, but a 
deed ’s not soon done. At last he came to the green 
meadows. In the open field a pillar stands, and on 
the pillar these words are written : “ Whoever goes 
from the pillar straight forward will be hungry and 
cold ; whoever goes to the right hand will be healthy 
and well, but his horse will be dead; whoever goes 
to the left hand will be killed himself, but his horse 
will be living and well.” Ivan read the inscription, 
and went to the right hand, holding in mind that 
though his horse might be killed, he would remain 
alive, and might in time get another horse. 

He rode one day, a second, and a third. All at once 
an enormous gray wolf came out against him and 
said : Oh ! is that thou, tender youth, Ivan Tsare- 

vich ? Thou hast read on the pillar that thy horse will 
be dead: why hast thou come hither, then?” The 
wolf said these words, tore Ivan Tsarevich’s horse in 
two, and went to one side. 


24 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


Ivan grieved greatly for his horse. He cried bit- 
terly, and went forward on foot. He walked all day, 
and was unspeakably tired. He was going to sit 
down and rest, when all at once the Gray Wolf 
caught up with him and said : “ I am sorry for thee, 
Ivan Tsarevich, thou art tired from walking; I am 
sorry that I ate thy good steed. Well, sit on me, 
the old wolf, and tell me whither to bear thee, 
and why.’* 

Ivan Tsarevich told the Gray Wolf whither he 
had to go, and the Gray Wolf shot ahead with him 
swifter than a horse. After a time, just at nightfall, 
he brought Ivan Tsarevich to a stone wall not very 
high, halted, and said: Now, Ivan Tsarevich, come 
down from the Gray Wolf, climb over that stone 
wall; on the other side is a garden, and in the 
garden the Fire-bird, in a golden cage. Take the 
Fire-bird, but touch not the cage. If thou takest 
the cage, thou ’It not escape ; they will seize thee 
straightway.” 

Ivan Tsarevich climbed over the wall into the 
garden, saw the Fire-bird in the golden cage, and 
was greatly tempted by the cage. He took the bird 
out, and was going back ; but changed his mind, and 
thought, “ Why have I taken the bird without the 
cage? Where can I put her? ” He returned ; but had 
barely taken down the cage when there was a ham- 
mering and thundering throughout the whole gar- 
den, for there were wires attached to the cage. The 


Ivan, the Bird, and the Wolf^ 


25 


watchmen woke up at that moment, ran to the gar- 
den, caught Ivan Tsarevich with the Fire-bird, and 
took him to the Tsar, who was called Dolmat. Tsar 
Dolmat was terribly enraged at Ivan, and shouted 
at him in loud, angry tones : “ Is it not a shame for 
thee, young man, to steal? But who art thou, of 
what land, of what father a son, and how do they 
call thee by name?” 

Ivan Tsarevich replied : “ I am from Vwislav’s 
kingdom, the son of Tsar Vwislav Andronovich, and 
they call me Ivan Tsarevich. Thy Fire-bird used to 
fly to our garden each night and pluck golden apples 
from my father’s favorite apple-tree, and destroyed 
almost the whole tree. Therefore my father has sent 
me to find the Fire-bird and bring it to him.” 

“ Oh, youthful young man, Ivan Tsarevich,” said 
Tsar Dolmat, ‘‘is it fitting to do as thou hast done? 
Thou shouldst have come to me, and I would have 
given thee the Fire-bird with honor; but now will it 
be well for thee when I send to all lands to declare 
how dishonorably thou hast acted in my kingdom? 
Listen, however, Ivan Tsarevich. If thou wilt do me 
a service, — if thou wilt go beyond the thrice ninth 
land to the thirtieth kingdom and get for me from 
Tsar Afron the golden-maned steed, I will forgive 
thy offence and give thee the Fire-bird with great 
honor; if not, I will publish in all kingdoms that 
thou art a dishonorable thief.” 

Ivan Tsarevich went away from Tsar Dolmat in 


26 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


great grief, promising to obtain for him the golden- 
maned steed. 

He came to the Gray Wolf, and told him all that 
Tsar Dolmat had said. 

“ Oh ! is that thou, youthful young man, Ivan 
Tsarevich? Why didst thou disobey my words and 
take the golden cage?” 

“ I have offended in thy sight,” said Ivan to the 
Gray Wolf. 

‘‘ Well, let that go ; sit on me, and I will take thee 
wherever thou wilt.” 

Ivan Tsarevich sat on the back of the Gray Wolf. 
The wolf was as swift as an arrow, and ran, whether it 
was long or short, till he came at last to the kingdom 
of Tsar Afron in the night-time. Coming to the white- 
walled stables, the Gray Wolf said: “ Go, Ivan Tsa- 
revich, into these white-walled stables (the grooms 
on guard are sleeping soundly), and take the golden- 
maned steed. On the wall hangs a golden bridle ; but 
take not the bridle, or it will go ill with thee.” 

Ivan Tsarevich entered the white-walled stables, 
took the steed, and was coming back ; but he saw on 
the walls the golden bridle, and was so tempted that 
he took it from the nail. That moment there went a 
thunder and a noise throughout the stables, because 
strings were tied to the bridle. The grooms on 
guard woke up that moment, rushed in, seized Ivan 
Tsarevich, and took him to Tsar Afron. Tsar Afron 
began to question him. Oh, youthful young man, 


Ivan, the Bird, and the Wolf, 


27 


tell me from what land thou art, of what father a 
son, and how do they call thee by name?” 

To this Ivan Tsarevich replied : ‘‘I am from 
Vwislav’s kingdom, the son of Tsar Vwislav, and 
they call me Ivan Tsarevich.” 

“ Oh, youthful young man, Ivan Tsarevich ! ” said 
Tsar Afron, “was that which thou hast done the deed 
of an honorable knight? I would have given thee the 
golden-maned steed with honor. But now will it be 
well for thee when I send to all lands a declaration 
of how dishonorably thou hast acted in my kingdom? 
Hear me, however, Ivan Tsarevich: if thou wilt do 
me a service and go beyond the thrice ninth land 
to the thirtieth kingdom and bring to me Princess 
Yelena the Beautiful, with whom I am in love heart 
and soul for a long time, but whom I cannot obtain, 
I will pardon thy offence and give thee the golden- 
maned steed with honor. And if thou wilt not do 
me this service, I will declare in all lands that thou 
art a dishonorable thief. 

Ivan Tsarevich promised Tsar Afron to bring 
Yelena the Beautiful, left the palace, and fell to 
crying bitterly. 

He came to the Gray Wolf and told him all that 
had happened. 

“ Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, thou youthful young man,” 
said the Gray Wolf, “ why didst thou disobey me and 
take the golden bridle? ” 

“I have offended in thy sight,” said Ivan Tsarevich. 


28 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


“ Well, let that go,” replied the Wolf. “ Sit on me ; 
I will take thee wherever need be.” 

Ivan Tsarevich sat on the back of the Gray Wolf, 
who ran as swiftly as an arrow flies, and he ran in 
such fashion as to be told in a tale no long time; 
and at last he came to the kingdom of Yelena the 
Beautiful. Coming to the golden fence which sur- 
rounded her wonderful garden, the Wolf said : “ Now, 
Ivan Tsarevich, come down from me and go back by 
the same road along which we came and wait in the 
field, under the green oak.” 

Ivan Tsarevich went where he was commanded. 
But the Gray Wolf sat near the golden fence, and 
waited till Yelena the Beautiful should walk in the 
garden. 

Toward evening, when the sun was sinking low in 
the west, therefore, it was not very warm in the air. 
Princess Yelena went to walk in the garden with her 
maidens and court ladies. When she entered the 
garden and approached the place where the Gray 
Wolf was sitting behind the fence, he jumped out 
suddenly, caught the princess, sprang back again, and 
bore her away with all his power and might. He 
came to the green oak in the open field where Ivan 
Tsarevich was waiting, and said, ** Ivan Tsarevich, sit on 
me quickly.” Ivan sat on him, and the Gray Wolf bore 
them both along swiftly to the kingdom of Tsar Afron. 

The nurses and maidens and all the court ladies 
who had been walking in the garden with the prin- 


Ivan^ the Bird^ and the Wolf, 


29 


cess Yelena the Beautiful ran straightway to the 
palace and sent pursuers to overtake the Gray Wolf; 
but no matter how they ran, they could not overtake 
him, and turned back. 

Ivan Tsarevich while sitting on the Gray Wolf 
with princess Yelena the Beautiful came to love her 
with his heart, and she Ivan Tsarevich; and when 
the Gray Wolf arrived at the kingdom of Tsar Afron, 
and Ivan Tsarevich had to take Yelena the Beautiful 
to the palace and give her to Tsar Afron, he grew 
very sad, and began to weep tearfully. 

“What art thou weeping for, Ivan Tsarevich?” 
asked the Gray Wolf. 

“My friend, why should I, good youth, not weep? 
I have formed a heartfelt love for Yelena the Beauti- 
ful, and now I must give her to Tsar Afron for the 
golden-maned steed ; and if I yield her not, then Tsar 
Afron will dishonor me in all lands.” 

“ I have served thee much, Ivan Tsarevich,” said 
the Gray Wolf, “ and I will do yet this service. Lis- 
ten to me. I will turn myself into a princess, 
Yelena the Beautiful. Do thou give me to Tsar 
Afron and take from him the golden-maned steed ; he 
will think me the real princess. And when thou art 
sitting on the steed and riding far away, I will beg of 
Tsar Afron permission to walk in the open field. 
When he lets me go with the maidens and nurses and 
all the court ladies, and I am with them in the open 
field, remember me, and I will come to thee.” 


30 


Wonder- Tales from Russia. 


The Gray Wolf spoke these words, struck the 
damp earth, and became a princess, Yelena the Beau- 
tiful, so that it was not possible in any way to know 
that the wolf was not the princess. Ivan Tsarevich 
told Yelena the Beautiful to wait outside the town, 
and took the Gray Wolf to the palace of Tsar 
Afron. 

When Ivan Tsarevich came with the pretended 
Yelena the Beautiful, Tsar Afron was greatly de- 
lighted in his heart that he had received a treasure 
which he had long desired. He took the false 
maiden, and gave Ivan Tsarevich the golden-maned 
steed. 

Ivan Tsarevich mounted the steed and rode out of 
the town, seated Yelena the Beautiful with him, and 
rode on, holding his way toward the kingdom of 
Tsar Dolmat. 

The Gray Wolf lived with Tsar Afron a day, a sec- 
ond, and a third, instead of Yelena the Beautiful. On 
the fourth day he went to Tsar Afron, begging to go 
out in the open field to walk, to drive away cruel 
grief and sorrow. Then Tsar Afron said : ‘‘ Oh, my 
beautiful princess Yelena, I will do everything for 
thee ; I will let thee go to the open field to walk ! ” 
And straightway he commanded the nurses, the 
maidens, and all the court ladies to go to the open 
field and walk with the beautiful princess. 

Ivan Tsarevich was riding along his road and path 
with Yelena the Beautiful, talking with her ; and he 


Ivan^ the Bird^ and the Wolf. 


31 


had forgotten about the Gray Wolf, but afterward re- 
membered. Oh, where is my Gray Wolf? ” 

All at once, from wherever he came, the wolf 
stood before Ivan, and said : “ Ivan Tsarevich, sit on 
me, the Gray Wolf, and let the beautiful princess ride 
on the golden-maned steed.” 

Ivan Tsarevich sat on the Gray Wolf, and they 
went toward the kingdom of Tsar Dolmat. Whether 
they journeyed long or short, when they had come 
to the kingdom they stopped about three versts from 
the capital town; and Ivan Tsarevich began to im- 
plore : Listen to me. Gray Wolf, my dear friend. 
Thou hast shown me many a service, show me the 
last one now; and the last one is this: Couldst thou 
not turn to a golden-maned steed instead of this one? 
for I do not like to part with this horse.” 

Suddenly the Gray Wolf struck the damp earth 
and became a golden-maned steed. Ivan Tsarevich, 
leaving princess Yelena in the green meadow, sat on 
the Gray Wolf and went to the palace of Tsar Dol- 
mat. The moment he came. Tsar Dolmat saw that 
Ivan Tsarevich was riding on the golden-maned 
steed, and he rejoiced greatly. Straightway he went 
out of the palace, met the Tsarevich in the broad 
court, kissed him, took him by the right hand, and 
led him into the white stone chambers. Tsar Dolmat 
on the occasion of such joy gave orders for a feast, 
and they sat at the oaken table at the spread cloth. 
They ate, they drank, they amused themselves, and 


32 


Wonder-Tales from Russia* 


rejoiced exactly two days ; and on the third day Tsar 
Dolmat gave Ivan Tsarevich the Fire-bird together 
with the golden cage. Ivan took the Fire-bird, went 
outside the town, sat on the golden-maned steed 
together with Yelena the Beautiful, and went toward 
his own native place, toward the kingdom of Tsar 
Vwislav. 

Tsar Dolmat the next day thought to take a ride 
through the open field on his golden-maned steed. 
He ordered them to saddle him ; he sat on the horse, 
and rode to the open field. The moment he urged 
the horse, the horse threw Tsar Dolmat off his back, 
became the Gray Wolf as before, ran off, and came 
up with Ivan Tsarevich. “ Ivan Tsarevich,” said he, 
“ sit on me, the Gray Wolf, and let Yelena the Beau- 
tiful ride on the golden-maned steed.” 

Ivan sat on the Gray Wolf, and they went their 
way. When the Gray Wolf had brought Ivan to the 
place where he had torn his horse, he stopped and 
said : ** I have served thee sufficiently, with faith and 
truth. On this spot I tore thy horse in two ; to this 
spot I have brought thee. Come down from me, the 
Gray Wolf: thou hast a golden-maned steed; sit on 
him, and go wherever thou hast need. I am no 
longer thy servant.” 

The Gray Wolf said these words and ran to one 
side. Ivan wept bitterly for the Gray Wolf, and 
went on with the beautiful princess. 

Whether he rode long or short with the beautiful 


Ivan^ the Bird, and the Wolf, 


33 


princess, when he was within twenty versts of his own 
kingdom he stopped, dismounted, and he and the 
beautiful princess rested from the heat of the sun 
under a tree ; he tied the golden-maned steed to the 
same tree, and put the cage of the Fire-bird by his 
side. Lying on the soft grass, they talked pleasantly, 
and fell soundly asleep. 

At that time the brothers of Ivan Tsarevich, Dmitri 
and Vassili Tsarevich, after travelling through many 
lands without finding the Fire-bird, were on their way 
home with empty hands, and came unexpectedly 
upon their brother with the beautiful princess. See- 
ing the golden-maned steed and the Fire-bird in the 
cage, they were greatly tempted, and thought of kill- 
ing their brother Ivan. Dmitri took his own sword 
out of the scabbard, stabbed Ivan Tsarevich, and cut 
him to pieces ; then he roused the beautiful princess 
and asked : Beautiful maiden, of what land art thou, 
of what father a daughter, and how do they call thee 
by name?” 

The beautiful princess, seeing Ivan Tsarevich dead, 
was terribly frightened; she began to shed bitter 
tears, and in her tears she said : I am Princess 
Yelena the Beautiful ; Ivan Tsarevich, whom ye have 
given to a cruel death, got me. If ye were good 
knights, ye would have gone with him into the open 
field and conquered him there; but ye killed him 
when asleep ; and what fame will ye receive for your- 
selves? A sleeping man is the same as a dead one.” 

3 


34 


Wojtder^ Tales from Russia, 


Then Dmitri Tsarevich put his sword to the heart 
of Yelena the Beautiful and said : “ Hear me, Yelena 
the Beautiful, thou art now in our hands; we will 
take thee to our father, Tsar Vwislav, thou wilt tell 
him that we got thee and the Fire-bird and the 
golden-maned steed. If not, we will give thee to 
death this minute.” The princess, afraid of death, 
promised them, and swore by everything sacred that 
she would speak as commanded. Then they began 
to cast lots who should have Yelena the Beautiful, and 
who the golden-maned steed ; and the lot fell that the 
princess should go to Vassili, and the golden-maned 
steed to Dmitri. 

Then Vassili Tsarevich took the princess, and 
placed her on his horse; Dmitri sat on the golden- 
maned steed, and took the Fire-bird to give to their 
father. Tsar Vwislav ; and they went their way. 

Ivan Tsarevich lay dead on that spot exactly thirty 
days ; then the Gray Wolf ran up, knew Ivan by his 
odor, wanted to aid him, to bring him to life, but 
knew not how. Just then the Gray Wolf saw a raven 
with two young ones who were flying above the body 
and wanted to eat the flesh of Ivan Tsarevich. The 
wolf hid behind a bush ; and when the young ravens 
had come down and were ready to eat the body, he 
sprang out, caught one, and was going to tear it in 
two. Then the raven came down, sat a little way from 
the Gray Wolf, and said : Oh, Gray Wolf, touch 
not my young child ; it has done nothing to thee ! ” 


Ivan^ the Bird^ and the Wolf, 


35 


“ Listen to me, raven,” said the Gray Wolf. I will 
not touch thy child; I will let it go unharmed and 
well if thou wilt do me a service. Fly beyond the 
thrice ninth land to the thirtieth kingdom, and bring 
me the water of death and the water of life.” 

“ I will do that, but touch not my son.” Having 
said these words, the raven flew away and soon disap- 
peared from sight. On the third day the raven re- 
turned, bringing two vials, in one the water of life, in 
the other the water of death, and gave them both to 
the Gray Wolf. The wolf took the vials, tore the 
young raven in two, sprinkled it with the water of 
death ; the little raven grew together, he sprinkled it 
with the water of life, and the raven sprang up and 
flew away. 

The Gray Wolf sprinkled Ivan Tsarevich with the 
water of death : the body grew together ; he sprinkled 
it with the water of life : Ivan Tsarevich stood up and 
exclaimed, Oh, how long I have slept ! ” 

Thou wouldst have slept forever, had it not been 
for me. Thy brothers cut thee to pieces and carried 
off Princess Yelena with the golden-maned steed and 
the Fire-bird. Now hurry with all speed to thy own 
country; Vassili Tsarevich will marry thy bride to- 
day. To reach home quickly, sit on me ; I will bear 
thee.” 

Ivan sat on the Gray Wolf; the wolf ran with him 
to the kingdom of Tsar Vwislav, and whether it was 
long or short, he ran to the edge of the town. 


36 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


Ivan sprang from the Gray Wolf, walked into the 
town, and found that his brother Vassili had married 
Yelena the Beautiful, had returned with her from the 
ceremony, and was sitting with her at the feast. 

Ivan Tsarevich entered the palace ; and when Yelena 
the Beautiful saw him, she sprang up from the table, 
kissed him, and cried out : “ This is my dear bride- 
groom, Ivan Tsarevich, and not that scoundrel at the 
table.” 

Then Tsar Vwislav rose from his place and asked 
the meaning of these words. Yelena the Beautiful 
told the whole truth, — told how Ivan Tsarevich had 
won her, the golden-maned steed, and the Fire-bird ; 
how his elder brother had killed him while asleep; 
and how they had terrified her into saying that they 
had won everything. 

Tsar Vwislav was terribly enraged at Dmitri and 
Vassili, and cast them into prison ; but Ivan Tsarevich 
married Yelena the Beautiful, and lived with her in 
harmony and love, so that one of them could not 
exist a single minute without the other. 


IVAN THE PEASANT’S SON AND THE LITTLE 
MAN HIMSELF ONE-FINGER TALL, HIS 
MUSTACHE SEVEN VERSTS IN LENGTH. 

I N a certain kingdom in a certain land there lived 
a Tsar, and in the courtyard of the Tsar was a 
pillar, and in the pillar three rings, one gold, one 
silver, and the third copper. One night the Tsar 
dreamed that there was a horse tied to the gold ring, 
that every hair on him was silver, and the clear moon 
was on his forehead. In the morning the Tsar rose 
up and ordered it to be proclaimed that whoever 
could interpret the dream and get the horse for him, 
to that man would he give his daughter, and one half 
the kingdom in addition. 

At the summons of the Tsar a multitude of princes, 
boyars, and all kinds of lords assembled. No man 
could explain the dream ; no man would undertake 
to get the horse. At last they explained to the Tsar 
that such and such a poor man had a son Ivan, who 
could interpret the dream and get the horse. 

The Tsar commanded them to summon Ivan. 
They summoned him. The Tsar asked, Canst thou 
explain my dream and get the horse? ” 

** Tell me first,” answered Ivan, “ what the dream 
was, and what horse thou dost need.” 


38 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


The Tsar said : “ Last night I dreamed that a horse 
was tied to the gold ring in my courtyard; every 
hair on him was silver, and on his forehead the clear 
moon.” 

“ That is not a dream, but a reality ; for last night 
the twelve-headed serpent came to thee on that horse 
and wanted to steal thy daughter.” 

“ Is it possible to get that horse ? ” 

** It is,” answered Ivan; ” but only when my fif- 
teenth year is passed.” 

Ivan was then but twelve years old. The Tsar 
took him to his court, gave him food and drink till 
his fifteenth year. 

When his fifteenth year had passed, Ivan said to 
the Tsar: “Now give me a horse on which I can 
ride to the place where the serpent is.” 

The Tsar led him to his stables and showed him 
all his horses ; but he could not find a single one, by 
reason of his strength and weight. When he placed 
his hero’s hand on any horse, that horse fell to the 
ground ; and he said to the Tsar: “ Let me go to the 
open country to seek a horse of sufficient strength.” 

The Tsar let him go. Ivan the peasant’s son 
looked for three years; nowhere could he find a 
horse. He was returning to the Tsar in tears, when 
an old man happened to meet him, and asked, “Why 
dost thou weep, young man? ” 

To this question Ivan answered rudely ; just chased 
the old man away. 


Ivan and the Little Man, 


39 


The old man said: “ Look out, young fellow; do 
not speak ill.” 

Ivan went away a little from the old man, and 
thought, “Why have I offended the old man? Old 
people know much.” 

He returned, caught up with the old man, fell 
down before him, and said : “ Grandfather, forgive 
me ! I offended thee through grief. This is what I 
am crying about : three years have I travelled through 
the open country among many herds ; nowhere can 
I find a horse to suit me.” 

The old man said : “ Go to such a village ; there 
in the stable of a poor peasant is a mare ; that mare 
has a mangy colt ; take the colt and feed him, — he 
will be strong enough for thee.” 

Ivan bowed down to the old man, and went to the 
village; went straight to the peasant’s stable; saw 
the mare with the mangy colt, on which he put his 
hands. The colt did not quiver in the least. Ivan 
took him from the peasant, fed him some time, came 
to the Tsar, and said that he had a horse. Then he 
began to make ready to visit the serpent. 

The Tsar asked: “How many men dost thou 
need, Ivan ? ” 

“I need no men,” replied Ivan; “I can get the 
horse alone. Thou mightest give me perhaps half a 
dozen to send on messages.” 

The Tsar gave him six men ; they made ready and 
set out. Whether they travelled long or short it is 


40 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


unknown to any man ; only this is known, — that 
they came to a fiery river. Over the river was a 
bridge ; near the river an enormous forest. In that 
forest they pitched a tent, got many things to drink, 
and began to eat and make merry. 

Ivan the peasant’s son said to his comrades : “ Let 
us stand guard every night in turn, and see if any 
man passes the river.” 

It happened that when any of Ivan’s comrades 
went on guard, each one of them got drunk in the 
evening and could see nothing. At last Ivan himself 
went on guard; and just at midnight he saw that a 
three-headed serpent was crossing the river, and the 
serpent called, “ I have no enemy, no calumniator, 
unless one enemy and one calumniator, Ivan the 
peasant’s son ; but the raven has n’t brought his 
bones in a bladder yet.” 

Ivan the peasant’s son sprang from under the 
bridge. “ Thou liest ; I am here ! ” 

‘‘ If thou art here, then let us make trial ; ” and 
the serpent on horseback advanced against Ivan. But 
Ivan went forth on foot, gave a blow with his sabre, 
and cut off the three heads of the serpent, took the 
horse for himself, and tied him to the tent. 

The next night Ivan the peasant’s son killed the 
six-headed serpent, the third night the nine-headed 
one, and threw them into the fiery river. When he 
went on guard the fourth night the twelve-headed 
serpent came, and began to speak wrathfully. Who 


Ivan and the Little Man, 


41 


art thou, Ivan the peasant’s son? Come out this min- 
ute to me ! Why didst thou kill my sons ? ” 

Ivan the peasant’s son slipped out and said : Let 
me go first to my tent, and then I will fight with 
thee.” 

“ Well, go on.” 

Ivan ran to his comrades. Here, boys, is a bowl, 
look into it ; when it shall be filled with blood, come 
to me.” 

He returned and stood against the serpent; they 
rushed and struck each other. Ivan at the first blow 
cut four heads off the serpent, but went himself to 
his knees in the earth; when they met the second 
time, Ivan cut three heads off and sank to his waist 
in the earth; the third time they met he cut off three 
more heads, and sank to his breast in the earth ; at 
last he cut off one head, and sank to his neck in 
the earth. Then only did his comrades think of 
him ; they looked, and saw that the blood was run- 
ning over the edge of the bowl. They hastened out, 
cut off the last head of the serpent, and pulled Ivan 
out of the earth. Ivan took the serpent’s horse and 
led him to the tent. 

Night passed, morning came; the good youth 
began to eat, drink, and be merry. Ivan the peas- 
ant’s son rose up from the merry-making and said to 
his comrades, Do ye wait here.” He turned into 
a cat, and went along the bridge over the fiery river, 
came to the house where the serpents used to live, 


42 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


and began to make friends with the cats there. In 
the house there remained alive only the old mother 
of the serpents and her three daughters-in-law ; they 
were sitting in the chamber talking to one another. 

How could we destroy that scoundrel, that Ivan 
the peasant’s son?” 

The youngest daughter-in-law said : “ I ’ll bring 
hunger on the road, and turn myself into an apple- 
tree, so that when he eats an apple it will tear him 
to pieces in a moment.” 

The second daughter-in-law said : I will bring 
thirst on the road, and turn myself into a well; let 
him try to drink.” 

The eldest said : “ I ’ll bring sleep and make a 
bed of myself; let Ivan try to lie down, he ’ll die in a 
minute.” 

At last the old woman said : ‘‘ I ’ll open my mouth 
from earth to sky and swallow them all.” 

Ivan heard what they said, went out of the cham- 
ber, turned into a man, and went back to his com- 
rades. Now, boys, make ready for the road.” 

They made ready, went their way, and to begin with 
a terrible hunger appeared on the road, so that they 
had nothing to eat. They saw an apple-tree. Ivan’s 
comrades wanted to pluck the apples, but Ivan would 
not let them. “ That is not an apple-tree,” said he ; 
and began to slash at it : blood came out. Another 
time thirst came upon them. Ivan saw a well; he 
would not let them drink from it ; he began to slash 


Ivan and the Little Man. 


43 


at it : blood came forth. Then sleep came on them ; 
there was a bed on the road. Ivan cut it to pieces. 
They came to the jaws stretched from the earth to 
the sky. What was to be done? They thought of 
jumping through on a run. No man was able to 
jump through save Ivan ; and he was borne out of the 
trouble by his wonderful steed, every hair of which 
was silver, and the bright moon on his forehead. 

He came to a river ; at the river was a hut ; there he 
was met by a little man, himself one finger tall, his 
mustache seven versts in length, who said : “ Give 
me the horse ; and if thou wilt not give him quietly, 
I '11 take him by force.” 

Ivan answered : “ Leave me, cursed reptile, or I '11 
crush thee under the horse.” 

The little man himself, one finger tall, his mus- 
tache seven versts in length, knocked him on to the 
ground, sat on the horse, and rode away. Ivan went 
into the hut and grieved greatly for his horse. In 
the hut was lying on the stove a footless, handless 
man, and he said to Ivan : Listen, good hero, — I 
know not how to call thee by name. Why didst thou 
try to fight with him ? I was something more of a hero 
than thou, and still he gnawed my hands and feet off.” 

‘‘Why? ” 

“ Because I ate bread on his table.” 

Ivan began to ask how he could win his horse 
back. The footless, handless said, — 

“ Go to such a river and take the ferry, ferry for 


44 


Wonder-Tales from Russia* 


three years, take money from no man: then thou 
mayest win the horse back.” 

Ivan bowed down to him, went to the river, took 
the ferry, and ferried three whole years for nothing. 
Once it happened to him to ferry over three old 
men ; they offered him money, he would not take it. 

“ Tell me, good hero, why thou takest no money? ” 

He said, “ According to a promise.” 

“What promise?” 

“ A malicious man took my horse, and good peo- 
ple told me to take the ferry for three years, and 
receive money from no man.” 

The old men said : “ If thou choosest, Ivan, we 
are ready to help thee to get back thy horse.” 

“ Help me, my friends.” 

The old men were not common people ; they were 
the Freezer, the Devourer, and the Wizard. The 
Wizard went out on the shore, made the picture of a 
boat in the sand and said : “ Well, brothers, you see 
this boat? ” 

“ We see it.” 

“ Sit in it.” 

All four sat in the boat. 

The Wizard said : “ Now, light little boat, do me a 
service as thou didst do before.” 

Straightway the boat rose in the air, and in a flash, 
just like an arrow sent from a bow, it brought them 
to a great stony mountain. At that mountain stood 
a house, and in the house lived the little man, — 


Ivan and the Little Man. 


45 


himself one finger tall, his mustache seven versts in 
length. The old men sent Ivan to ask for the horse. 
Ivan began to ask. 

The little man said: “Steal the Tsar’s daughter 
and bring her to me ; then I ’ll give thee the horse.” 

Ivan told this to his comrades. They left him at 
once and went to the Tsar. The Tsar knew what 
they had come for, and commanded his servants to 
heat the bath red hot. “ Let them suffocate there,” 
said he. Then he asked his guests to the bath. 
They thanked him and went. The Wizard com- 
manded the Freezer to go first. The Freezer went 
into the bath and made it cool. Then they washed 
and steamed themselves, and came to the Tsar. He 
ordered a great dinner to be given, and a multitude 
of all kinds of food was on the table. The Devourer 
began and ate everything. In the night they came 
together, stole the Tsar’s daughter, and brought her 
to the little man himself, one finger tall, his mustache 
seven versts in length. They gave him the Tsar’s 
daughter and got the horse. 

Ivan bowed down to the old men, sat on the horse, 
and went to the Tsar. He travelled and travelled, 
stopped in an open field to rest, put up his tent, and 
lay down. He woke up, threw out his hand, the 
Tsar’s daughter was by him ; he was delighted, and 
asked, “How didst thou come here?” 

“I turned into a pin, and stuck myself into thy 
collar.” 


46 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


That moment she turned into a pin again. Ivan 
stuck her into his collar and travelled on ; came to 
the Tsar. The Tsar saw the wondrous horse, re- 
ceived the good hero with honor, and told how his 
daughter had been stolen. 

Ivan said : “ Do not grieve, I have brought her 
back.” 

He went into the next chamber; the Tsarevna 
turned into a fair maiden. Ivan took her by the 
hand and brought her to the Tsar. 

The Tsar was still more rejoiced. He took the 
horse for himself, and gave his daughter to Ivan. 
Ivan is living yet with his young wife. 


THE FEATHER OF BRIGHT FINIST THE 
FALCON. 



‘HERE lived an old man with his old wife. 


They had three daughters. The youngest 
was such a beauty that she could neither be told of 
in a tale nor described with a pen. Once the old 
man was going to town to the fair, and he said: 

My dear daughters, say what ye want; I will buy 
all ye wish at the fair.” 

The eldest said, “ Father, buy me a new dress.” 
The second said, Father, buy me a shawl kerchief.” 
But the youngest said, Buy me a red flower.” 

The old man laughed at his youngest daughter. 
** Oh, little dunce ! what dost thou want of a red 
flower? Great good in it for thee; better I’ll buy 
thee clothes.” 

No matter what he said, he could not persuade her. 
“ Buy me a little red flower, nothing but that.” The 
old man went to the fair, bought the eldest daughter 
a dress, the second a shawl kerchief; but in the 
whole town he could not find a red flower. Only as 
he was coming home did an unknown old man hap- 
pen in his way. The old man had a red flower in 
his hand. “ Sell me thy flower, old man.” 


48 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


** It is not for sale, it is reserved. If thy youngest 
daughter will marry my son, Bright Finist the Falcon, 
I will give the flower as a gift.” 

The father grew thoughtful. Not to take the 
flower was to grieve his daughter, and to take it 
was to give her in marriage, God knows to whom ! 
He thought and thought; still he took the flower. 
” What harm ? ” said he to himself ; “ they will come 
with proposals by and by. If he is not the right 
man, why, we can refuse.” He came home, gave the 
eldest daughter her dress, the second her shawl, and 
to the youngest he gave the flower, saying, “ I like 
not thy flower, my dear daughter; greatly I like it 
not.” And then he whispered in her ear : “ The 
flower was reserved, and not for sale. I took it from 
a strange man for the promise to give thee in mar- 
riage to his son, Bright Finist the Falcon.” 

Be not troubled, father, he is so good and kind ; 
he flies as a bright falcon in the sky, and when he 
strikes the damp earth he is a hero of heroes.” 

But dost thou know him? ” 

“ I know him, father. Last Sunday he was at Mass, 
and looked at me all the time. I talked to him — 
he loves me, father.” 

The old man shook his head, looked at his daughter 
very sharply, made the sign of the cross on her, and 
said : ** Go to thy room, my dear daughter, it is time 
to sleep. The morning is wiser than the evening; we 
will talk this matter over hereafter.” 


The Feather of Bright FinisL 


49 


The daughter shut herself up in her room, put the 
red flower in water, opened the window, and looked 
into the blue distance. Wherever he came from. 
Bright Finist the Falcon of Flowery Feathers wheeled 
before her, sprang in through the window, struck the 
floor, and became a young man. The maiden was 
frightened ; but when he spoke it became one knows 
not how joyous and pleasant at her heart. They 
talked till dawn, — I know not indeed of what ; I know 
only that when day began to break. Bright Finist 
the Falcon of Flowery Feathers kissed her and said: 
“ Every night as soon as the bright little flower is 
placed on the window I will fly to thee, my dear. 
But here is a feather from my wing. Shouldst thou 
wish for robes, go out on the balcony and wave it on 
the right side ; in a moment all that thy soul desires 
will appear before thee.” He kissed her once more, 
turned into a bright falcon, and flew away beyond the 
dark forest. 

The maiden looked after her fated one, closed the 
window, and lay down to sleep. From that time 
every night, as soon as she placed the little red 
flower at the window, the good youth. Bright Finist 
the Falcon, flew to her. 

Well, Sunday came. The elder sisters began to 
dress for Mass. But what art thou going to wear? 
Thou hast nothing new,” said they to the youngest 
one. 

She answered, Never mind ; I can pray even at 
home.” 4 


50 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


The elder sisters went to church, and the youngest 
sat at the window in an old dress and looked at the 
orthodox people going to church. She bided her 
time, went out on the porch, waved her colored 
feather on the right ; and from wherever they came 
there appeared before her a crystal carriage, blooded 
horses, servants in gold, robes, and every ornament 
of precious stones. In one moment the beautiful 
maiden was dressed, sat in the carriage, and dashed 
off to church. The people look, admire her beauty. 
“ It is clear that some Tsar’s daughter has come,” 
said they among themselves. 

As soon as “ Dostoino ” was sung, she went out of 
the church, sat in the carriage, and was whirled back 
home. The orthodox people went out to look at 
her, to see where she would go ; but nothing of the 
sort, — her trace had grown cold long ago. 

Our beauty had barely come to the court when 
she waved her bright feather on the left side ; in a 
moment the maidens undressed her and the carriage 
vanished. She was sitting as if nothing had hap- 
pened, looking out through the window to see how 
the orthodox people go home from church. 

The sisters too came home. “ Well, sister,” said 
they, “what a beauty was at church to-day! Just a 
sight, neither to be told in a tale nor described 
with a pen. It must be that she is some Tsar’s 
daughter from another land, so splendidly dressed, 
wonderfully ! ” 


The Feather of Bright Finist, 


5 ^ 


The second and third Sundays came ; the beautiful 
maiden mystified the orthodox people, and her sis- 
ters, her father, and her mother. But the last time 
when she undressed she forgot to take out of her 
hair the diamond pin. The elder sisters came from 
the church and told her of the Tsar’s daughter; but 
when they looked at the youngest sister the diamonds 
were blazing in her hair. 

‘‘Oh, sister, what is this?” cried they; “why just 
such a pin was in the hair of the Tsar’s daughter to- 
day. Where didst thou get it?” 

The beautiful maiden was confused, and ran to her 
chamber. There was no end of guesses and whis- 
pers, but the youngest sister said nothing and 
laughed in secret. The elder sisters began to watch 
her and to listen in the night at her chamber ; and 
they overheard one time her conversation with Bright 
Finist the Falcon, and saw with their own eyes at 
daybreak how he sprang from the window and flew 
off beyond the dark forest. 

The elder sisters were clearly malicious. They 
planned to put hidden knives for the evening on 
the window of their sister’s room, so that Bright 
Finist the Falcon might cut his colored wings. They 
did this straightway ; the youngest sister knew noth- 
ing of the matter. She put her red flower on the 
window, lay down on the couch, and fell asleep 
soundly. Bright Finist the Falcon flew to the 
window, and as he was springing in cut his left foot ; 


52 


Wonder-Tales from Russia* 


but the beautiful maiden knew nothing of this ; she 
was sleeping so sweetly, so calmly. Angrily did 
Bright Finist the Falcon rise to the sky and fly 
beyond the dark forest. 

In the morning the maiden woke up. She looked 
on every side ; it was daylight already, and the good 
youth was not there. She looked at the window, 
and on the window were two sharp knives across 
each other, and red blood was dripping from them 
to the flower. Long did the maiden shed bitter tears, 
many sleepless nights did she pass by the window 
of her chamber. She waved the bright feather in 
vain; Bright Finist the Falcon flies no longer him- 
self, and sends not his servants. 

At last she went to her father with tears in her 
eyes and begged his blessing, gave orders to forge 
three pairs of iron shoes, three iron staves, three 
iron caps, and three iron Easter cakes; she put a 
pair of shoes on her feet, the cap on her head, took 
a staff in her hand, and went toward that point from 
which Bright Finist the Falcon had flown to her. 
She goes through slumbering forests, she goes over 
stumps, over logs. One pair of iron shoes are trod- 
den out, one iron cap is worn off, one staff is break- 
ing up, one cake is gnawed away, and the beautiful 
maiden walks on, walks all the time, and the forest 
grows darker, grows denser. 

All at once she sees standing before her an iron 
hut on hen’s legs, and it turns without ceasing. 


The Feather of Bright Finist, 


53 


“ Hut, hut ! ” said she, stand with thy back to the 
forest, thy front to me.” 

The hut turned its front to her. She entered the 
hut, and in it was lying a Baba-Yaga from corner to 
corner, her lips on the crosspiece, her nose in the loft. 

“ Tfu-tfu-tfu ! in former days nothing of Russia was 
seen with sight nor heard with hearing ; but now the 
odor of Russia goes through the wide world in visi- 
ble seeming, runs to one’s nose. Where dost thou 
hold thy way, beautiful maiden? Art flying from 
labor, or seekest labor?” 

“ Oh, grandmother dear, I had Bright Finist the 
Falcon of Flowery Feathers ; my sisters did harm him ! 
Now I am seeking for Bright Finist the Falcon.” 

‘‘ Oh, my child, thou hast far to go ; thrice nine 
lands must yet be passed ! Bright Finist the Falcon 
of Flowery Feathers lives in the fiftieth kingdom in 
the eightieth land, and is now betrothed to the daugh- 
ter of a Tsar.” 

The Baba-Yaga nourished and fed the maiden with 
what God had sent, and put her to bed. Next morn- 
ing, when the light was just coming, she roused her, 
gave her a present for the road, — a small golden 
hammer and ten little diamond nails, — and said : 
“ When thou comest to the blue sea, the bride of 
Bright Finist the Falcon will come out on the shore 
to walk ; take the golden hammer and drive the dia- 
mond nails. She will try to buy them of thee; but, 
beautiful maiden, take no pay, only ask to see Bright 


54 


Wonder-Tales from Russia^ 


Finist the Falcon. Now go, with God, to my second 
sister.” 

Again the fair maiden goes through the dark for- 
est, goes farther and farther; the forest is darker 
and deeper, the tree-tops wind up to the sky. Now 
almost the second pair of shoes are trodden out, the 
second cap worn away, the second iron staff break- 
ing, the iron cake gnawed away; before the maiden 
is an iron hut on hen’s legs, and it turns without 
ceasing. 

Hut, oh, hut ! ” said she, ‘‘ stop with thy back to 
the trees and thy front to me, so that I may creep in 
and eat.” 

The hut turned its back to the trees and its front 
to the maiden. She entered. In the hut lay a Baba- 
Yaga from corner to corner, her lips on the cross- 
piece, her nose in the loft. 

“ Tfu-tfu-tfu ! in former days nothing of Russia was 
seen with sight or heard with hearing ; but now the 
odor of Russia goes through the wide world. Whither 
dost hold thy way, fair maiden ? ” 

“ Grandmother, dear, I am seeking Bright Finist 
the Falcon.” 

“ Oh ! he is going to marry ; they have the maiden’s 
party to-night,” said the Baba-Yaga. 

She gave her to eat and drink, and put the maiden 
to sleep. At daybreak next morning she roused her, 
gave her a golden plate with a diamond ball, and 
enjoined on her most firmly, '‘When thou comest 


The Feather of Bright Finis L 


55 


to the shore of the blue sea, roll the diamond ball 
on the golden plate. The bride of Bright Finist the 
Falcon of Flowery Feathers will try to buy the plate 
and ball; but take nothing for it, only ask to see 
Bright Finist the Falcon. Now go, with God, to my 
eldest sister.” 

Again the fair maiden goes through the dark for- 
est, goes farther and farther; the forest grows darker 
and deeper. Now are the third pair of shoes almost 
trodden out, the third cap is wearing off, the third 
staff is breaking, and the last cake is gnawed away. 
On hen’s legs stands an iron hut and turns about. 

‘‘ Hut, oh, hut ! ” cried she, “ stand with thy back to 
the trees and thy face to me; I must creep in and 
eat bread.” 

The hut turned. In the hut lay another Baba- 
Yaga from corner to corner, her lips on the cross- 
piece, her nose in the loft. 

“ Tfu-tfu-tfu ! in former times nothing of Russia was 
seen with sight nor heard with hearing ; but now the 
odor of Russia goes through the wide world. Where, 
beautiful maiden, dost thou hold thy way? ” 

“ Grandmother, dear, I am seeking Bright Finist 
the Falcon.” 

Oh, fair maiden, he has married a Tsar’s daugh- 
ter ! Here is my swift steed ; sit on him, and go, with 
God.” 

The maiden sat on the steed and shot away farther. 
The forest grew thinner and thinner. 


56 


Wonder- J ales from Russia, 


Behold, the blue sea is before her; broad and 
roomy is it spread, and there in the distance, like 
fire, burn the golden summits above the lofty, white- 
walled chambers. That is the kingdom of Bright 
Finist the Falcon. She sat then on the movable 
sand of the shore, and hammered with hammer the 
diamond nails. All at once the Tsar’s daughter goes 
with her nurses and maidens and trusty serving- 
women along the shore ; she stops, and wants to buy 
the diamond nails and the golden hammer. 

“ Tsar’s daughter, let me but look at Bright Finist 
the Falcon, I will give them for nothing,” answered 
the maiden. 

“Bright Finist the Falcon is sleeping at present, 
and has ordered that none be admitted ; but give me 
thy beautiful nails and hammer, I will show him to 
thee.” 

She took the hammer and nails, ran to the palace, 
stuck into the clothes of Bright Finist the Falcon a 
magic pin, so that he should sleep more soundly and 
not wake ; then she commanded her nurses to con- 
duct the beautiful maiden through the palace to her 
husband, and went herself to walk. 

Long did the maiden struggle, long did she weep 
over her dear one; she could not wake him in any 
way. When she had walked to her pleasure, the 
Tsar’s daughter came home, drove her away, and 
pulled out the pin. 

Bright Finist the Falcon woke. “ Oh, how long I 



NEXT DAY THE BEAUTIFUL MAIDIiN SAT AGAIN ON 
THE SHOKE OF THE BLUE SKA. Page 57 . 







5 , " ->4 


I ^ 


X\ , '..\ V .. *• •t*r|* i 

•^w ’ * A 


f. \- . 

» ^ * ■ * ' 







.SiQKi'Xl 


^ r^J 



* ** 4-# • # ^m. ^ / <*» i-i . 

I^i^' .Ai'.j?^'’:';^^' '*'■ •-> - A < .wVe’^ ’ 


^5 


a. a.. ^ . .-^ 




The Feather of Bright Finis t 


57 


have slept ! Some one was here,” said he, and wept 
over me all the time, talking the while ; but I could 
not open my eyes, I felt so heavy.” 

‘‘Thou wast only dreaming,” said the Tsar’s daugh- 
ter ; “ no one was here.” 

Next day the beautiful maiden sat again on the 
shore of the blue sea, and was rolling a diamond ball 
on a golden plate. 

The Tsar’s daughter went out to walk; she saw 
them, and said, “ Sell them to me.” 

“ Let me look at Bright Finist the Falcon, and I 
will give them for nothing.” 

The Tsar’s daughter agreed, and again she pierced 
the clothes of Bright Finist the Falcon with a magic 
pin. Again the fair maiden wept bitterly over her 
dear one, but could not rouse him. 

The third day she sat on the shore of the blue sea, 
so sad and sorrowful, she was feeding her steed with 
glowing coals. The Tsar’s daughter, seeing that the 
steed was eating fire, wanted to buy him. 

“ Let me look on Bright Finist the Falcon, and I ’ll 
give the steed for nothing.” 

The TsaFs daughter agreed, ran to the palace, and 
said to her husband, “ Let me look in thy head.” 
She sat down to look in his head, and stuck the pin 
in his hair; straightway he was in a deep sleep. 
Then she sent her nurses for the beautiful maiden. 

The fair maiden came, tried to wake her dear, 
embraced him and kissed him, crying bitterly, bit- 


c;8 Wonder-Tales from Russia, 

terly herself ; he wakes not. Then she began to look 
in his head, and out fell the magic pin. 

Bright Finist the Falcon woke all at once; he saw 
the fair maiden and was glad. She told him every- 
thing as it was, — how her malicious sisters had envied 
her, how she had wandered, and how she had ex- 
changed with the Tsar’s daughter. He loved her 
more than before, kissed her on the sweet lips, and 
gave command to call without delay boyars, princes, 
and people of every degree. Then he asked: “What 
is your judgment: with which wife should I spend my 
life, — with her who sold me, or her who bought me?” 

All the boyars, princes, and people of each degree 
decided in one voice to take the woman who had 
bought him ; but the one who had sold him, to hang 
on the gate and shoot her. Bright Finist the Falcon 
of Flowery Feathers did this. 


THE PIG WITH GOLD BRISTLES, THE DEER WITH 
GOLDEN HORNS, AND THE GOLDEN-MANED 
STEED WITH GOLDEN TAIL. 



'HERE lived a Tsar, and he had a daughter. 


Tsarevna, Priceless Beauty, not to be told of 
in a tale nor described with a pen. The Tsar issued 
a call throughout all towns that whoever would kiss 
the Tsarevna through twelve windows, no matter of 
what stock he might be, he would get the Tsarevna 
for wife, and receive half the kingdom. 

In this kingdom lived a merchant, and he had 
three sons ; the two elder were crafty, and the third, 
the youngest, was a simpleton. Well, the elder 
brothers said, “ Father, we will go to get the 
Tsarevna.” 

“ Go, with God,” said the merchant. 

They took the very best horses and began to make 
ready for the road. The fool also was preparing. 

“Where art thou going, fool? How couldst thou 
kiss the Tsarevna?” and they laughed at him in 
every manner. 

They went away, and the simpleton dragged along 
after them on a poor mangy little horse. He went 
into the field, and he cried with a shrill voice : “ Oh, 


6o 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


blue-brown, cunning bay, stand before me as leaf 
before stem ! ” 

Wherever he came from, a splendid steed rushed 
up ; the ground trembled. The simpleton crept into 
one ear of the steed and out of the other, and became 
such a beauty as had never been seen nor heard of. 
He sat on the horse, and rode to the Tsar’s palace ; 
and when he rushed up he broke six panes of glass. 

All were astonished, and cried, “Who is that? 
Seize him, hold him ! ” 

But his trace was cold. He rode away into the 
field, crept into one ear of his steed, out of the other, 
and became just such a simpleton as before ; he sat 
on his wretched horse, rode home, and lay on the 
stove. 

His brothers came back and said : “ Well, father, 
there was a hero, — such a hero ! He broke through 
six glasses at once.” 

The simpleton from the stove cried out : “ Ah, 
brothers, was not that I?” 

“ Thou dunce ! how couldst thou do it ; how couldst 
thou get the Tsarevna? Thou art not worth her fin- 
ger nail.” 

Next day the brothers prepared again to go to the 
Tsar’s palace ; the simpleton also prepared. “ What 
art thou going for, thou dunce?” laughed the broth- 
ers ; “ thou art needed there, I suppose ! ” 

The simpleton went again on his mangy, wretched 
little horse to the field, and cried in a shrill voice: 


The Pig, the Deer, and the Steed, 6i 


“ Oh, blue^brown, cunning bay, stand before me as 
leaf before stem ! ” 

The steed rushed, the ground trembled, the sim- 
pleton crept into one ear of the steed and out of the 
other, and became such a beauty as had never been 
seen or heard of before. He rushed through the 
Tsar’s court, broke all the twelve windows, and kissed 
the Tsarevna, Priceless Beauty. She put a mark 
straight on his forehead. 

All were astonished, and cried : “ Stop him, hold 
him! Who is he?” 

But his trace was cold. He rode out to the field, 
crept into one ear and out of the other, became just 
such a simpleton as before, came home, tied a rag 
around his forehead, pretended that his head was 
aching, and lay down on the stove. 

His brothers returned and said : “ Oh, father, there 
was a hero, such a hero ! At once he broke all twelve 
windows and kissed the Tsarevna.” 

The simpleton cried out from the stove : “ Ah, 
brothers, was it not I ? ” 

“ Oh, thou dunce, how could it be? ” 

Meanwhile the Tsarevna was thinking who her 
bridegroom could be. She went to the Tsar and 
said : “ Father, let me bring together all the Tsars’ 
sons, kings’ sons, nobles, merchants, and peasants to 
a feast, to a talk, and find out who kissed me.” The 
Tsar permitted her. 

Well, the whole Christian world met. The Tsarevna 


62 


Wonder- Tales from Russia, 


herself went among them all, entertained all with 
wine, examined to see if she could find the mark on 
any man’s forehead. She went to each ; at last she 
brought wine to the simpleton. 

“What hast thou bound up there?” asked the 
Tsarevna. 

“ So, nothing ; my head aches,” said the simpleton. 

“ Well, then, untie it.” The Tsarevna unbound his 
head, recognized the mark, and grew faint. 

The Tsar said to her, “ It is impossible to change 
the word now; it has to be so, — be his wife.” 

They married the simpleton and the Tsarevna. 
She was weeping bitterly ; her two sisters, who had 
married Tsars’ sons, were laughing at her, and said : 
“ There it is ; she has married a fool ! ” 

Once the Tsar called all his sons-in-law and said : 
“ I have heard that in such a state, in such a king- 
dom, there is a wonder, — a pig with gold bristles. 
Is it not possible in some way to get this pig? Try.” 

Well, the two crafty sons-in-law saddled the very 
best horses, sat on them, and rode away. 

The fool took from the stable the very last miser- 
able horse, and followed his brothers. He came out 
into an open field, and cried with a shrill voice: 
“ Come, blue-brown, cunning bay, stand before me 
as leaf before stem ! ” Wherever he came from, 
the wondrous horse was snorting and tearing the 
ground with his hoof. The simpleton crawled into 
one ear and out of the other. 


The Pig, the Deer, and the Steed, 63 


Wherever they came from, there stood before him 
two youths, and they asked, “ What dost thou wish, 
what is thy pleasure ? ’’ 

“ To have a tent here, and in the tent a bed ; beside 
the tent to have the pig with gold bristles walking.” 

All was done in a moment. The tent was there, in 
the tent a bed; on the bed lay the simpleton, but 
such a hero that no one could know him. The pig 
with gold bristles was walking by the side of the tent 
in the meadow. 

The other brothers-in-law travelled and travelled; 
nowhere could they see a pig with gold bristles. On 
their way home they approached the tent and saw 
the wonder. “ Oh ! here is where the pig with gold 
bristles is walking; let us go,” said they, “ and what- 
ever must be given we will give, we will buy the pig 
and please our father-in-law.” 

They went to the tent and saluted the owner. The 
simpleton asked: Where are ye travelling? what 
are ye looking for?” 

“Wilt thou sell us the pig with gold bristles? we 
are looking for this pig a long time.” 

“ No, I want it myself” 

“ Ask what will please thee, but sell.” 

They offered him a thousand for the pig, and two 
and three and more ; but the simpleton would not con- 
sent. “ I will not take a hundred thousand,” said he. 

“Oh, let us have him, please; take what seems 
good to thee ! ” 


64 


Wonder- Tales from Russia, 


“ Well, ye need him so greatly, I will give him, and 
will not take much, — the middle toe of each man’s 
foot.” 

They thought and thought, took off their boots, 
and each man cut off the middle toe of his foot 
The simpleton took the toes, hid them, and gave 
the pig with gold bristles. The brothers-in-law went 
home, taking the pig with them. 

The Tsar was so glad that he knew not what to 
call them, where to seat them, or what to give them 
to eat. 

“ Have ye seen the fool?” asked the Tsar. 

“ With seeing we have not seen him, with hearing 
we have not heard.” 

The simpleton crept into one ear of his horse, out 
of the other, and became just such a fool as before. 
He killed his horse, took off his skin, and put it on ; 
then he caught magpies, crows, jackdaws, and spar- 
rows, tied them around himself, and went home. He 
came into the palace and let all his birds loose ; they 
flew around on every side, and broke nearly all the 
windows of the palace. 

The Tsarevna, Priceless Beauty, covered herself 
with tears, and her sisters were screaming with laugh- 
ter. “ Our husbands,” said they, “ brought home the 
pig with gold bristles, and thy fool — look, if it please 
thee, how he has dressed himself as a monster ! ” 

The Tsar shouted : What a clown ! I ’ll fix him.” 

Again the Tsar called his sons-in-law. “ My dear 


The Pig, the Deer, and the Steed. 65 


sons-in-law, I have heard that in such a kingdom, in 
such a land, there is a wonder, — a deer with golden 
horns and a golden tail. Can ye not get him in 
any way?” 

“We can, your Majesty.” 

Now the two crafty sons-in-law saddled the very 
best horses and set out. 

“ Well,” said the Tsar to the simpleton, “ go thou 
with the others.” 

The simpleton took from the stable the very last 
miserable horse and followed his brothers. He went 
out in the open field and cried with a shrill voice : 
“ Oh, blue-brown, cunning bay, stand before me as 
leaf before stem.” Wherever he came from, the 
wonderful horse was there, snorting and tearing the 
ground with his hoofs. The simpleton crept in one 
of his ears and out of the other. Wherever they 
came from, two young men stood before him and 
asked: “What dost thou want?” 

“ I want a tent here, in the tent a bed, and at the 
side of the tent a deer with golden horns and a 
golden tail.” 

That moment the tent was there, in the tent a bed, 
on the bed the simpleton stretched himself, — such 
a beauty that no man could know him ; at the side 
of the tent walked a deer with golden horns and a 
golden tail. 

The crafty brothers travelled and travelled. No- 
where did they see such a deer, and they turned 
S 


66 


Wonder-Tales from Russia* 


to come home. They came near the tent and saw 
the wonder. “ Oh, this is where the deer with golden 
horns and a golden tail is! Let us go,” said they; 
“ whatever must be given we ’ll give, buy that deer, 
and please our father-in-law.” 

They came up and saluted. The simpleton asked : 
“ Why are ye travelling; what are ye seeking? ” 

“ Wilt thou sell us the deer with golden horns and 
a golden tail ? ” 

“ No, it is not for sale ; I want it myself.” 

“ Ask what will please thee, but sell.” They offered 
one, two, three thousand, and more. The simpleton 
would n’t listen to the offers, would not take money. 

“ But if my deer has pleased you, I ’ll sell him, if 
ye like, at a cheap price, — the middle finger of each 
man’s hand.” 

They thought and thought, and agreed. They took 
off their gloves and cut off the middle finger. The 
simpleton put the fingers away and gave the deer. 

The sons-in-law came home, and brought the deer 
with golden horns and a golden tail. The Tsar from 
joy knew not what to call them, where to seat them, 
or with what to entertain them. 

“ Have ye seen the fool anywhere ? ” asked the 
Tsar. 

“ With seeing we have not seen him, with hearing 
we have not heard.” 

The simpleton crept into one ear of the horse and 
out of the other, and became just such a simpleton as 


The Pig^ the Deer^ and the Steed. 67 


he had been before. He killed his wretched horse, 
skinned him, and put on the skin ; then caught a lot 
of jackdaws, crows, magpies, and sparrows, tied them 
around himself, and went home. He came again to 
the palace, and let out the birds in different direc- 
tions; his wife was sobbing, and her sisters were 
laughing. “ Our husbands,” said they, “ brought 
home the deer with golden horns and a golden tail, 
and thy fool — look at him ! ” 

The Tsar shouted at the fool : “ What an ignorant 
lout ! ” and he gave half the kingdom to his crafty 
sons-in-law. 

The third time the Tsar called his crafty sons -in- 
law, and said : “ My dear sons-in-law, I will give you 
the whole kingdom if ye will get for me the golden- 
maned steed with golden tail ; I have heard that he is 
in such a kingdom and such a land.” 

The crafty sons-in-law saddled the very best horses 
and went on their journey. 

The Tsar sent also the fool. “ Well, go thou too.” 

The simpleton took the very last wretched horse 
from the stable and followed his crafty brothers. He 
came to the open field and cried with a shrill voice : 
“ Oh, blue-brown, cunning bay, stand before me as 
leaf before stem ! ” Wherever he came from, the 
marvellous steed was snorting, and tearing the earth 
with his hoof. Behold, the simpleton crept into one 
ear and out of the other, and became such a beauty 
that it was not in the power of man to recognize him. 


68 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


Then, wherever they came from, there stood before 
him two youths, and they asked, “What dost thou 
wish; what dost thou want?” 

“ I want a tent here, in the tent a bed, and at the side 
of the tent the golden-maned steed with golden tail.” 

That minute the tent was made, in the tent a bed. 
The simpleton stretched himself on the bed; at the 
side of the tent the golden-maned steed with golden 
tail was walking. 

The crafty sons-in-law travelled and travelled ; no- 
where did they see that kind of steed, and were on 
their way home. They drew near the tent, and saw 
the wonder. 

“ Oh, here is the place where the golden-maned 
steed with golden tail is walking. Let us go in,” said 
they ; “we will give whatever they ask, and buy him 
to please our father-in-law.” 

The simpleton asked : “ Whither are ye travelling ; 
what are ye seeking? ” 

“ Sell us the golden-maned steed with golden tail.” 

“ He is not for sale ; I want him myself” 

“ Ask what may please thee, only sell him ; ” and 
they offered one, two, three thousand and more. 

“ I would not take a hundred thousand,” said the 
simpleton. 

“ Sell him to us ; take what will please thee.” 

“ Well, if ye need him greatly, I will give him to 
you; I will not take a high price. Let me cut a 
strap from the back of each one of you.” 


The Pig, the Deer, and the Steed. 69 


They thought and thought, struggled and strug- 
gled, wanted the horse very badly, were sorry for 
themselves, but decided at last, undressed, and took 
off their shirts. The simpleton cut from the back 
of each one of them a strap, took the straps, put 
them away, and delivered the steed. 

The sons-in-law came home bringing the golden- 
maned steed with golden tail. The Tsar from de- 
light knew not what to call them, where to seat 
them, or how to entertain them, and gave them the 
remaining half of the kingdom. The simpleton crept 
into one ear of the steed and out of the other, and 
became what he had been before. He killed his 
wretched horse, took off the skin, put it on himself, 
caught magpies, crows, jackdaws, and sparrows, tied 
them around himself, came to the palace, and let out 
the birds ; they flew in different directions, and broke 
nearly all the windows. The Tsarevna, his wife, was 
crying, and her sisters were laughing at her. “Our 
husbands have brought the golden-maned steed with 
golden tail ; but look at thy fool going around such 
a fright!” 

The Tsar shouted at the fool : “ What an ignorant 
lout ! I ’ll have thee shot.” 

And the simpleton asked : “ With what wilt thou 
reward me ? ” 

“What reward shouldst thou have?” asked the 
Tsar. 

“ If the truth must be told, I got for thee the pig 


70 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


with gold bristles, the deer with golden horns and a 
golden tail, and the golden-maned steed with golden 
tail.” 

How canst thou prove that? ” asked the Tsar. 

“ Command thy sons-in-law, Gosuddr, to take ofif 
their boots.” 

The sons-in-law began to make excuses ; they did n’t 
want to take off their boots. 

“Take off your boots,” urged the Tsar; “there is 
no harm in that.” 

They took off their boots. The Tsar looks : one 
toe is missing. 

“ Here are their toes,” said the simpleton. “ Order 
them now to take off their gloves.” 

They removed their gloves, and the Tsar saw there 
was a finger missing. 

“ Here are their fingers,” said the simpleton. 
“Order them now to take off their shirts.” 

The Tsar saw that the affair was coming true, 
and ordered them to undress. They took off their 
shirts, and the Tsar saw that each one of them had 
a strap cut from his back the width of two fingers. 

Here are the straps,” said the simpleton ; and told 
the whole story as it was. 

The Tsar did n’t know how to entertain him, nor 
how to reward him. He gave him the whole king- 
dom, and the other sons-in-law, because they had 
deceived him, he had shot. 

The simpleton went to the open field and cried 


The Pigy the Deer^ and the Steed. 71 


with a shrill voice : Oh, blue-brown, cunning bay, 
stand before me as leaf before stem ! ” The horse 
ran, the ground trembled, the simpleton crept into 
one ear of the steed and out of the other, and 
became a hero and a beauty. 

He came home, began to live with his Tsarevna 
and win wealth. 


WATER OF YOUTH, WATER OF LIFE, AND 
WATER OF DEATH. 


I N a certain kingdom in a certain land there lived 
a Tsar; that Tsar had three sons, — two crafty, 
and the third simple. Somehow the Tsar had a 
dream that beyond the thrice ninth land, in the thir- 
tieth kingdom, there was a beautiful maiden, from 
whose hands and feet water was flowing, that who- 
ever would drink that water would become thirty 
years younger. The Tsar was very old. He sum- 
moned his sons and counsellors, and asked : “ Can 
any one explain my dream ? 

The counsellors answered the Tsar: We have 
not seen with sight nor heard with hearing of such 
a beautiful maiden, and how to go to her is un- 
known to us.” 

Now the eldest son, Dmitri Tsarevich, spoke up : 
Father, give me thy blessing to go in all four direc- 
tions, look at people, show myself, and make search 
for the beautiful maiden.” 

The Tsar gave his parental blessing. ** Take,” said 
he, “ treasure as much as thou wishest, and all kinds 
of troops as many as are necessary.” 

Dmitri Tsarevich took one hundred thousand 
men and set out on the road, on the journey. He 


Waters of Youth, Life, and Death, 73 


rode a day, he rode a week, he rode a month, and 
two and three months. No matter whom he asked, 
no one knew of the beautiful maiden, and he came to 
such desert places that there were only heaven and 
earth. He urged his horse on, and behold before 
him is a lofty mountain ; he could not see the top 
with his eyes. Somehow he climbed the mountain 
and found there an ancient, a gray old man. 

“ Hail, grandfather ! ” 

** Hail, brave youth ! Art fleeing from labor, or 
seekest thou labor?” 

I am seeking labor.” 

‘‘ What dost thou need ? ” 

** I have heard that beyond the thrice ninth land, 
in the thirtieth kingdom, is a beautiful maiden, from 
whose hands and feet healing water flows, and that 
whoever gets and drinks chis water will grow thirty 
years younger.” 

“ Well, brother, thou canst not go there.” 

Why not?” 

“ Because there are three broad rivers on the road, 
and on these rivers three ferries: at the first ferry 
they will cut off thy right hand, at the second thy 
left foot, at the third they will take thy head.” 

Dmitri Tsarevich was grieved ; he hung his stormy 
head below his shoulders, and thought : “ Must I spare 
my father’s head? Must I spare my own? I’ll turn 
back.” 

He came down from the mountain, went back to 


74 


Wonder-Tales from Russia^ 


his father, and said : “ No, father, I have not been 
able to find her; there is nothing to be heard of 
that maiden.” 

The second son, Vassili Tsarevich, began to beg: 
“Father, give me thy blessing; perhaps I can find 
her.” 

“ Go, my son.” 

Vassili Tsarevich took one hundred thousand men, 
and set out on his road, on his journey. He rode a 
day, he rode a week, he rode a month, and two, and 
three, and entered such places that there was nothing 
but forests and swamps. He found there Baba-Yaga, 
boneleg. “ Hail, Baba-Yaga, boneleg ! ” 

“ Hail, brave youth ! Art thou fleeing from labor, 
or seekest labor? ” 

“ I am seeking labor. I have heard that beyond 
the thrice ninth land, in the thirtieth kingdom, is a 
beautiful maiden, from whose feet and hands heal- 
ing water flows.” 

“ There is, father ; only thou canst not go there.” 

“ Why not? ” 

“ Because on the road there are three ferries : at the 
first ferry they will cut off* thy right hand, at the 
second thy left foot, at the third off* with thy head.” 

“ It is not a question of saving my father’s head, 
but sparing my own.” 

He returned, and said to his father: “No, father, 
I could not find her; there is nothing to be heard 
of that maiden.” 


Waters of Youth, Life, and Death, 75 


The youngest son, Ivan Tsarevich, began to beg: 

Give me thy blessing, father ; maybe I shall find 
her.” 

The father gave him his blessing. Go, my dear 
son ; take troops and treasure all that are needed.” 

“ I need nothing, only give me a good steed and 
the sword Kladyenets.” 

Ivan Tsarevich mounted his steed, took the sword 
Kladyenets, and set out on his way, on his journey. 
He rode a day, he rode a week, he rode a month, 
and two and three; and rode into such places that 
his horse was to the knees in water, to the breast in 
grass, and he, good youth, had nothing to eat. He 
saw a cabin on hen’s feet, and entered: inside sat 
Baba-Yaga, boneleg. 

“ Hail, grandmother ! ” 

“ Hail, Ivan Tsarevich ! Art flying from labor, or 
seekest labor? ” 

“What labor? I am going to the thirtieth king- 
dom ; there, it is said, lives a beautiful maiden, from 
whose hands and feet healing water flows.” 

“There is, father; though with sight I have not 
seen her, with hearing I have heard of her: but to 
her it is not for thee to go.” 

“ Why so? ” 

“ Because there are three ferries on the way : at the 
first ferry they will cut off thy right hand, at the 
second thy left foot, at the third off with thy head.” 

“ Well, grandmother, one head is not much ; I will 
go, whatever God gives,” 


76 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


“ Ah! Ivan Tsarevich, better turn back; thou art 
still a green youth, hast never been in places of dan- 
ger, hast not seen great terror.’* 

“ No,” said Ivan ; “ if thou seizest the rope, don’t 
say thou art not strong.” He took farewell of Baba- 
Yaga and went farther. 

He rode a day, a second, and a third, and came to 
the first ferry: the ferrymen were sleeping on the 
opposite bank. “ What is to be done? ” thought Ivan. 
“ If I shout, they ’ll be deaf for the rest of their lives ; 
if I whistle, I shall sink the ferry-boat.” He whistled 
a half whistle. The ferrymen sprang up that minute 
and ferried him across the river. 

“ What is the price of your work, brothers? ” 

“ Give us thy right hand.” 

“ Oh, I want that for myself I ” Then Ivan Tsarevich 
struck with his sword on the right, and on the left. 
He cut down all the ferrymen, mounted his horse, and 
galloped ahead. At the two other ferries he got 
away in the same fashion. He was drawing near 
the thirtieth kingdom. On the boundary stood a wild 
man, in stature tall as a forest, in thickness the equal 
of a great stack of hay; he held in his hands an 
enormous oak-tree. 

“ Oh, worm ! ” said the giant to Ivan Tsarevich, 
“ whither art thou riding? ” 

“ I am going to the thirtieth kingdom ; I want to 
see the beautiful maiden from whose hands and feet 
healing water flows.” 

“ How couldst thou, little pigmy, go there? I am 


Waters of Youths Life, and Death, 77 


a hundred years guarding her kingdom, great, mighty 
heroes came here, — not the like of thee, — and they 
fell from my strong hand. What art thou? Just a 
little worm I ” 

Ivan Tsarevich saw that he could not manage the 
giant, and he turned aside. He travelled and travelled 
till he came to a sleeping forest ; in the forest was a 
cabin, and in the cabin an old, ancient woman was sit- 
ting. She saw the good youth, and said : “ Hail, Ivan 
Tsarevich! Why has God brought thee hither?” 

He told her all without concealment. The old 
woman gave him magic herbs and a ball. 

Go out,” said she, “ into the open field, make a 
fire, and throw these herbs on it; but take care to 
stand on the windward. From these magic herbs the 
giant will sleep a deep sleep ; cut his head off, then 
let the ball roll, and follow. The ball will take thee 
to those regions where the beautiful maiden reigns. 
She lives in a great golden castle, and often rides out 
with her army to the green meadows to amuse her- 
self. Nine days does she stay there ; then sleeps a 
hero’s sleep nine days and nine nights.” 

Ivan Tsarevich thanked the old woman and went 
to the open field, where he made a fire and threw into 
it the magic herbs. The stormy wind bore the smoke 
to where the wild man was standing on guard. It 
grew dim in his eyes ; he lay on the damp earth and 
fell soundly asleep. Ivan Tsarevich cut off his head, 
let the ball roll, and rode on. He travelled and 


78 ’ 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


travelled till the golden palace was visible ; then he 
turned from the road, let his horse out to feed, and 
crept into a thicket himself. He had just hidden, 
when dust was rising in a column from the front of 
the palace : the beautiful maiden rode out with her 
army to amuse herself in the green meadows. The 
Tsarevich saw that the whole army was formed of 
maidens alone. One was beautiful, the next sur- 
passed that one ; fairer than all, and beyond admira- 
tion was the Tsarevna herself. 

Nine days was she sporting in the green meadows, 
and the Tsarevich did not take his eyes from her, 
still he could not gaze his fill. On the tenth day he 
went to the golden palace. The beautiful maiden 
was lying on a couch of down, sleeping a hero’s 
sleep; from her hands and feet healing water was 
flowing. At the same time her trusty army was 
sleeping as well. 

Ivan Tsarevich took a flask of the healing water. 
His heroic heart could not withstand her maiden 
beauty. He tarried awhile, then left the palace, 
mounted his good steed, and rushed toward home. 

Nine days slept the beautiful maiden, and when she 
woke her rage was dreadful. She stamped, she 
screamed with a piercing voice : “ What wretch has 
been here?” she sprang on to her fleet-flying mare, 
and struck into a chase after Ivan Tsarevich. The 
mare races, the ground trembles; she caught up 
with the good hero, struck him with her sword, and 


Waters of Youths Life, and Death. 79 


straight in the breast did she strike. The Tsarevich 
fell on the damp earth : his bright eyes close, his red 
blood stiffens. The fair maiden looked at him, and 
great pity seized her; through the whole world 
might she search, and not find such a beauty. She 
placed her white hand on his wound, moistened it 
with healing water. All at once the wound closed, 
and Ivan Tsarevich rose up unharmed. 

“Wilt thou take me as wife ? ” asked she. 

“ I will, beautiful maiden.” 

“ Well, go home, and wait three years.” 

Ivan Tsarevich took farewell of his betrothed bride 
and continued his journey. He was drawing near 
his own kingdom; but his elder brothers had put 
guards everywhere, so as not to let him come near 
his father. The guards gave notice at once that Ivan 
Tsarevich was coming. The elder brothers met him 
on the road, drugged him, took the flask of healing 
water, and threw him into a deep pit. Ivan Tsarevich 
came out in the underground kingdom. 

He travelled and travelled in the underground king- 
dom. When he came to a certain place, a great 
storm rose up, lightning flashed, thunder roared, rain 
fell. He went to a tree to find shelter; looked up, 
and saw young birds in that tree all wet. He took 
off his coat, covered them, and sat himself under the 
tree. 

When the old bird flew to the tree, she was so 
large that she hid the light, and it grew dark as if 


So 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


night were near. When she saw her young covered, 
she asked : “ Who has protected my little birds ? 
Then, seeing the Tsarevich, she said: “It is thou 
who didst this; God save thee! Whatever thou 
wishest, ask of me ; I will do everything for thee." 

He said, “ Bear me out into the upper world." 

“ Make ready," said the bird, “ a double box. Fill 
one half of it with every kind of game, and in the 
other half put water, so as to have something with 
which to nourish me.” 

The Tsarevich did all that was asked. The bird 
took the box on her back, and the Tsarevich sat in 
the middle. She flew up ; and whether it was long 
or short, she bore him to this upper world, took fare- 
well of him, and flew home. 

Ivan Tsarevich went to his father; but the old Tsar 
did not like him by reason of the lies which his 
brothers had told, and sent him into exile. For 
three whole years Ivan wandered from place to 
place. When three years had passed, the beautiful 
maiden sailed in a ship to the capital town of Ivan 
Tsarevich’s father. She sent a letter to the Tsar, 
demanding the man who had stolen the water, and 
if he refused she would burn and destroy his kingdom 
utterly. 

The Tsar sent his eldest son; he went to the ship. 
Two little boys, grandsons of the Tsar, saw him, and 
asked their mother: “ Is that our father?'* 

“ No, that is your uncle." 


Waters of Youths Life^ and Death. 8i 


‘‘ How shall we meet him ? ” 

“ Take each one a whip and flog him back home.” 

The eldest Tsarevich returned, looking as if he had 
eaten something unsalted. 

The maiden continued her threats, demanded the 
guilty man. The Tsar sent his second son, and 
the same thing happened to him as to the eldest. 
Now the Tsar gave command to find the youngest 
Tsarevich. 

When the Tsarevich was found, his father wished 
him to go on the ship to the maiden. But he said : 

I will go when a crystal bridge is built to the ship, 
and on the bridge there shall be many kinds of food 
and wine set out.” 

There was no help for it; they built the bridge, 
prepared the food, brought wines and meat. 

The Tsarevich collected his comrades. “Come 
with me, attend me,” said he; “eat ye and drink, 
spare nothing.” 

While he was walking on the bridge the little boys 
cried out: “ Mother, who is that?” 

“ That is your father.” 

“ How shall we meet him? ” 

“ Take him by the hands and lead him to me.” 

They did so; there was kissing and embracing. 
After that they went to the Tsar, told him all just as 
it had been. The Tsar drove his eldest sons from 
the castle, and lived with Ivan, — lived on and gained 
wealth. 


6 


THE 


FOOTLESS AND BLIND CHAMPIONS. 

I N a certain kingdom, in a certain land, there lived 
a Tsar with his Tsaritsa. They had a son, Ivan 
Tsarevich, and Katoma of the Oaken Cap was ap- 
pointed tutor to care for and guard Ivan. 

The Tsar and Tsaritsa attained to ancient years, 
fell ill, and had no thought to recover. They sum- 
moned Ivan Tsarevich and said : When we die, do 
thou obey in all things Katoma of the Oaken Cap and 
I^nor him. If thou obeyest him, thou ’It be happy ; 
but i^jdi^obedient, thou wilt perish like a fly.’^ 

Neittday the Tsar and Tsaritsa died. Ivan buried 
his pa^^ and lived according to their command: 
whatever he did, he always held counsel with his 
tutor. Whether it was long or short, the Tsarevich 
grew to years of manhood and thought of marrying. 
He came to Katoma of the Oaken Cap and said : ** I 
feel dreary alone ; I wish to marry.” 

Well, Tsarevich, where is the halt? Thy years 
are such that it is time to think of a bride. Go to the 
great chamber, — there the portraits of all Tsars’ 
daughters and all kings’ daughters are collected. 
Look at them and choose ; if any please thee, pro- 
pose for that one.” 


The Footless and Blind Champions, 83 


Ivan Tsarevich went to the great chamber, exam- 
ined the portraits ; and Princess Anna the Beautiful 
suited his mind, — such a beauty that in the whole 
world there was not her equal. Under her portrait 
was ...written that if any man gave her a riddle and 
she could not solve it, she would marry the man ; and 
whose riddle she solved, off went his head. Ivan 
Tsarevich read this inscription, grew very sorrowful, 
and went to his uncle. “ I have been,” said he, “ in the 
great chamber, and have found for myself a bride, — 
Anna the Beautiful ; but I know not how to get her.” 

“ Yes, Tsarevich, it is difficult to win her. If thou 
go alone, thou wilt never succeed ; but if thou take 
me and will do what I say, perhaps the affair may be 
settled.” 

Ivan Tsarevich begged Katoma of the Oaken Cap 
to go with him, and gave his faithful word to obey him 
in sorrow and in joy. 

They prepared for the road and the journey, and 
went to ask Princess Anna the Beautiful in marriage. 
They travelled one year, travelled a second, then a 
third, and passed over many lands. Ivan Tsarevich 
said : Uncle, we are travelling now so long a time, 

are nearing the land of Anna the Beautiful, and we 
know not what riddle to give her.” 

“ Oh, we will think of one yet.” 

They went farther. Uncle Katoma looked on the 
road, and there was lying a purse with gold. He 
took it up, poured all the money out of it into his 


84 Wonder-Tales from Russia* 

own purse, and said : ** Here is the riddle, Ivan 

Tsarevich. When thou comest to the princess, give 
her the riddle in these words : ‘ We were travelling 
along, and we saw good lying on the road. We took 
good with good and put it in our good.' She '11 
not solve that riddle all her life; and every other 
one she would know in a moment, — she would just 
look into her magic book, and as soon as she knew 
the riddle she would have thy head cut off.” 

Well, Ivan Tsarevich with his uncle came at last 
to the lofty palace where the beautiful princess was 
living. At that very time she was on the balcony, 
saw the travellers, and sent out to know whence they 
were, and what they had come for. 

Ivan Tsarevich replied : “ I have come from such 
and such a kingdom, and I wish to ask Anna the 
Beautiful in marriage.” 

They reported this to the princess. She gave 
answer that the Tsarevich should come to the palace 
and give, in the presence of all her counselling princes 
and boyars, a riddle. “ With me,” said she, “ this 
order is established, that if I solve not the riddle of 
a man, I will marry him ; but if I solve any man’s 
riddle, I give him to a cruel death.” 

“ Hear my riddle, beautiful princess,” said Ivan. 

We were going along, we saw good lying on the road, 
we took good with good and put it in our good.” 

Anna the Beautiful took her magic book, began to 
examine it and look for riddles; she went through 


The Footless and Blind Champions, 85 


the whole volume and found nothing. Then the 
counselling princes and boyars decided that the 
princess must marry Ivan Tsarevich. Though sorry, 
she had to give way, and began to prepare for the 
wedding; but plotting to win time and get rid of the 
bridegroom, she thought, “ I will trouble him with 
difficult tasks.’* She called Ivan Tsarevich and said : 
“ Oh, my dear Ivan Tsarevich, my betrothed hus- 
band, we must prepare for the wedding; do me a 
small service. In my kingdom in such a place stands 
a great iron pillar; bring it to the palace kitchen 
and cut it into small pieces as fuel for the cook.” 

“ My princess, is it possible that I have come here 
to cut fuel? Is that my business? I have a servant 
for that, — Uncle Katoma of the Oaken Cap.” 

The Tsarevich called Uncle Katoma straightway, 
and commanded him to bring the iron pillar to the 
kitchen and cut it into small pieces as fuel for the 
cook. 

Uncle Katoma went to the place mentioned, took 
the pillar in his arms, brought it to the palace kitchen, 
and cut it into small pieces. Four pieces of iron did 
he put in his pocket, saying, “ They will be good in 
the future.” 

Next day the princess said to Ivan : ‘‘ My dear 
Tsarevich, my betrothed husband, to-morrow we 
must go to the crown : I will go in a carriage, and 
thou on an heroic steed. Meanwhile thou shouldst 
try the steed.” 


86 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


“Shall I try a horse when I have a servant for 
that?” Ivan Tsarevich called Uncle Katoma of the 
Oaken Cap. 

“ Go,” said he, “ and order the stable-boys to 
lead forth the heroic steed ; sit on him and ride him 
around. To-morrow I will go to the marriage on 
him.” 

Uncle Katoma saw through the cunning of the 
princess, without talking long. He went to the 
stable and ordered them to lead forth the heroic 
steed. Twelve men went : they opened twelve locks, 
opened twelve doors, and led out the magic horse 
by twelve iron chains. 

Uncle Katoma went to the horse : the moment he 
sat on him the magic steed left the earth and rose 
higher than the standing forest, lower than the mov- 
ing clouds. Katoma sat firmly; with one hand he 
held the mane, with the other he took from his 
pocket one of the iron bars and began to pound 
the horse between the ears with it. He broke one 
bar, took another, broke that, took a third, broke 
that. The fourth entered service; and Katoma so 
hammered the steed that he could not endure, but 
spoke with the voice of a man : “ Father Katoma, let 
me even live in the white world ; whatever thou wish- 
est, command, — everything shall be as thou sayest.” 

“ Listen, dog’s meat ! ” answered Uncle Katoma. 
“To-morrow Ivan Tsarevich will ride thee to the mar- 
riage: see to it when they lead thee to the broad 


The Footless and Blind Champions. 87 


court, when the Tsarevich approaches and puts his 
hand on thee, that thou standest quietly, movest not 
an ear; and when he sits on thy back, sink to thy 
fetlocks, and walk under him with a heavy tread, as 
if an immeasurable burden were on thee.” 

The heroic steed heard the command and came 
down barely alive to the earth. Katoma took him 
by the tail and threw him to the side of the stable, 
saying, ‘‘Oh, coachmen and grooms, take this dog’s 
meat to the stable ! ” 

The next day rose, the hour of marriage came. 
They gave a carriage to the princess, and led out 
the heroic steed for Ivan Tsarevich. The people ran 
from every side in thousands. The bridegroom and 
the bride came forth from the white-walled palace. 
The princess sat in the carriage and waited for what 
would happen to Ivan Tsarevich. The magic steed, 
she thought, would scatter his hair to the wind and 
drag his bones over the field. 

Ivan Tsarevich approached the steed, put his hand 
on his back, his foot in the stirrup; the horse stood 
as if fixed to the earth, moved not an ear. Ivan sat 
on his back ; the horse sank in the ground to the fet- 
locks. They removed the twelve chains from him; 
the horse began to walk with a slow and heavy 
tread, the sweat rolled from him like rain. 

“ Oh, what a champion, what immeasurable 
strength ! ” said the people, looking at the Tsarevich. 

They crowned the bridegroom with the bride. 


88 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


They were coming out of the church, took each 
other by the hand, and the princess thought of 
testing once more the strength of Ivan Tsarevich. 
She pressed his hand with such force that he could 
not endure; the blood rushed to his face, his eyes 
went up under his forehead. 

“ So this is the kind of hero thou art ! ” thought 
the princess. Thy uncle has deceived me grandly ; 
but this will not go with thee for nothing.” 

Anna the Beautiful lived with Ivan Tsarevich as 
was befitting a wife with a God-given husband, and 
she in every way flattered him with words, but 
thought only of one thing, — how to destroy Uncle 
Katoma of the Oaken Cap. It was not difficult for 
her to manage the 1 sarevich without the uncle. 
No matter how much calumny she invented, Ivan 
did not yield to her speeches; he had pity on his 
uncle. In a year’s time he said to his wife : “ My 
dear consort, beautiful princess, I should like to go 
with thee to my own kingdom.” 

“ Very well, let us go ; I have long wished to see 
thy kingdom.” 

They got ready and went, making Uncle Katoma 
coachman. They travelled and travelled. Ivan 
Tsarevich fell asleep on the way. All at once Anna 
the Beautiful began to rouse him and complain: 
^‘Now, Tsarevich, thou art sleeping all the time, 
hearest nothing. But thy uncle will not obey me; 
he drives the horses on purpose over hillocks and 


The Footless and Blind Champions. 89 


into holes, just as if trying to kill me. I spoke to 
him kindly, and he laughed at me. I will not live 
unless thou punish him.” 

Ivan in his drowsiness grew very angry at his 
uncle, and gave him over entirely to the princess. 
“ Do with him as thou desirest.” The princess gave 
orders to cut off his feet. Katoma allowed himself 
to be maltreated by her. “ Let me endure,” thought 
he ; ** and the Tsarevich will know what it is to suffer 
sorrow.” They cut off Katoma’s feet. The princess 
looked around and saw a high stump on one side; 
she called the servants and ordered them to seat him 
on that stump. Ivan Tsarevich she tied by a rope 
to the carriage, turned back, and went to her own 
kingdom. Uncle Katoma of the Oaken Cap was 
sitting on the stump, shedding bitter tears. “ Fare- 
well, Ivan Tsarevich,” said he, “ thou wilt remember 
me ; ” and Ivan Tsarevich ran jumping behind the 
carriage. He knew himself that he had made a 
mistake, but he could not turn back. 

Anna the Beautiful came to her own kingdom, and 
she made Ivan Tsarevich herd cows. Every morn- 
ing he went with the herd into the open field, and in 
the evening he drove them back into the princess’ 
yard; and at that time she sat on the balcony and 
counted the cows, were they all there? She counted 
them, and ordered the Tsarevich to kiss the last cow 
on the tail; and the cow was so well trained that 
when she came to the gate she stopped and raised 
her tail. 


90 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


Uncle Katoma was sitting on the stump one day, 
a second, a third, without food or drink. He could 
in no way slip down, and it was coming to him to 
die of hunger. Not far away was a thick wood, and 
in that wood lived a blind, mighty hero; and he 
nourished himself only with this, that when he knew 
by the smell that a beast was running past, — a hare, 
fox, or bear, — that moment he ran, caught it, and 
his dinner was ready. The hero was very swift of 
foot, and no running beast could escape him. Be- 
hold, it happened thus : a fox was slipping by ; the 
hero heard it and pursued ; the fox ran to the tall 
stump and turned aside. The blind champion hur- 
ried, and in the run struck his forehead against the 
stump so that he drove it out of the ground with 
its roots. 

Katoma was thrown to the earth, and asked, “ Who 
art thou ? ” 

“ The blind hero ; I live in this forest thirty years, 
and I nourish myself only in this way. If I seize a 
beast, I roast it on the fire ; otherwise I should have 
died of hunger long since.” 

Is it possible that thou art blind from birth?” 

“ No, not from birth ; Anna the Beautiful put out 
my eyes.” 

“ Well, brother,” said Uncle Katoma of the Oaken 
Cap, “ and I through her am footless ; she cut off my 
two feet, the cursed woman.” 

The two heroes talked to each other, and agreed to 


The Footless and Blind Champions, 91 


live together and find food in common. The blind 
said to the footless : “ Sit on me and show the way; I 
will serve thee with my feet, and thou shalt serve 
me with thy eyes.” 

He took the footless and carried him. Katoma 
sat, looked on both sides, and cried out: “To the 
right; to the left; straight ahead.” They lived in 
this way some time in the forest and caught food, — 
hares, foxes, and bears. 

Once the footless asked : “Is it possible that we 
shall live all our lives without company? I have 
heard that in a certain town there is a rich merchant 
with his daughter, and the daughter is very chari- 
table to poor people and cripples, and gives alms 
herself to all. Let us carry her off, brother ; let her 
live with us as a housekeeper.” 

The blind man took a wagon, put the footless in it, 
and drew him to the town. They went straight to 
the house of the rich merchant. The merchant’s 
daughter saw them through the window. Straight- 
way she sprang up and went to give them something. 
She went to the footless : “ Take this, poor man, for 
Christ’s sake.” While taking the gift he seized her 
by the hand and into the wagon with her. He called 
to the blind man, who ran so swiftly that no horse- 
man could come up with him. 

The merchant sent a party in pursuit, but no one 
could overtake the two men. The heroes brought 
the merchant’s daughter to their hut in the forest, and 


92 


Wonder- Tales from Russia, 


said to her: ‘‘Be to us in the place of our own 
sister ; live with us, keep the house, for we have no 
one to cook a meal for us or to wash our shirts. God 
will not forget thee for doing this.” 

The maiden remained with them. The heroes re- 
spected and loved her, and considered her as their own 
sister. The way was, they used to go hunting, and 
she was always at home, took care of the house- 
keeping, cooked for them, washed for them. Now a 
Baba-Yaga, boneleg, began to come to the hut and 
suck the blood of the merchant’s daughter. The 
moment the heroes went to hunt, Baba-Yaga was 
there. Whether it was long or short, the fair maid- 
en’s face fell away; she grew thin and poor. 

The blind man saw nothing, but Uncle Katoma of 
the Oaken Cap noticed that something was wrong. 
He spoke of it to the blind man, and they questioned 
their adopted sister. They began to urge her to 
answer. The Baba-Yaga had strictly forbidden her 
to confess. For a long time she was afraid to tell 
of her trouble ; long she resisted. At last they per- 
suaded her, and she confessed everything. “ When- 
ever ye go away to hunt, an ancient old woman 
comes, evil-faced, long-haired, gray; she makes me 
search in her head, and then sucks my blood.” 

“ Ah ! ” said the blind man, “ that is Baba-Yaga. 
Wait, we must settle with her in our own fashion; 
to-morrow we will not go to hunt, we will try to come 
upon her and catch her.” 


The Footless and Blind Champions. 93 


Next morning they did not go to hunt. 

“ Well, footless uncle,” said the blind man, ** crawl 
thou under the bench; sit quietly. I will go outside 
and stay under the window. And thou, sister, when 
Baba-Yaga comes, sit right here in this window, search 
in her head, separate her hair gradually, and let it out 
of the window. I will catch her by the gray locks.” 

It was said and done. The blind man caught the 
Baba-Yaga by the gray locks and cried, “ Ei ! Uncle 
Katoma, crawl from under the bench and hold the 
viperous old hag till I go into the house.” 

Baba-Yaga heard trouble, wanted to jump up, and 
raised her head. What could she do? She had no 
chance ; she tore and tore, — no use. 

Then Katoma crawled from under the bench, threw 
himself on her like a stone mountain, and began to 
smother Baba-Yaga. She was frightened out of her 
wits. 

The blind man sprang into the house, and said to 
the footless : “ We must make a big fire now, burn 
the old outcast, and scatter her ashes to the wind.” 

Baba-Yaga implored. “ Father, dove, forgive me ; 
whatever thou wishest I ’ll do.” 

“ Well, old witch,” said the heroes, show us the 
well of living and healing water.” 

“ Only don’t beat me, and I '11 show you this 
moment.” 

Uncle Katoma sat on the blind man, the blind 
man took Baba-Yaga by the hair, and she led them 


94 


‘ Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


to the forest depth, brought them to a well, and said : 
“ Here is the healing and living water.” 

“ See to it. Uncle Katoma,” said the blind man, 
“ make no mistake ; if she deceives us now, we can- 
not mend matters while we live.” 

Uncle Katoma of the Oaken Cap broke from a tree 
a green branch and threw it into the well ; the branch 
had not reached the water when it burst into a blaze. 

Ah, thou hast turned to deceit ! ” 

They began to choke the old woman, and wanted 
to throw her into the fiery well. She implored more 
than before, and gave an awful oath that now she 
would play no tricks. “ Ton my true word, I will 
lead you now to good water.” 

They agreed to try once more, and the old woman 
brought them to another well. 

Uncle Katoma broke a dry branch from a tree, and 
threw it into the well ; the branch had not reached 
the water when it gave out buds, grew green, and 
blossomed. 

Oh, this is good water ! ” said Uncle Katoma. 

The blind man moistened his eyes with it, and in 
a moment he saw. He let the footless down into the 
water, and his feet grew out. 

Both were rejoiced, and said: “Now we will re- 
store everything; but first we must settle with Baba- 
Yaga. If we forgive her now, we shall not see good 
ourselves ; she will plot evil against us all our lives.” 

They returned to the fiery well and threw Baba- 


The Footless and Blind Champions, 95 


Yaga into it, so that she perished. Then Uncle 
Katoma married the merchant’s daughter, and all 
three went to the kingdom of Anna the Beautiful 
to liberate Ivan Tsarevich. 

They were approaching the capital town. They 
looked, Ivan Tsarevich was driving a herd of cows. 

“ Stop, herdsman ! ” said Uncle Katoma. “ Whither 
art thou driving these cows ? 

“ I am driving them to the royal castle. The prin- 
cess always counts them herself, to see if all the 
cows are there.” 

‘‘Well, herdsman, here are my clothes; put them 
on. I ’ll put on thine, and drive the cows.” 

“ No, brother, that is impossible ; if the princess 
should know it, woe to me.” 

“ Never fear, nothing will come of it ; Uncle 
Katoma is security for thee in that.” 

Ivan Tsarevich sighed, and said : “ Oh, kind man, 
if Uncle Katoma were living I should not be herding 
cows in this field.” 

Then Uncle Katoma confessed to him who he was. 
Ivan Tsarevich embraced him firmly and shed tears. 
“ I did not think to see thee.” 

They changed clothes. Uncle Katoma drove the 
cows to the princess’s yard. Anna the Beautiful came 
out on the balcony, counted to see if all the cows 
were there, and gave command to drive them into 
the shed. All went in but the last one ; she stopped 
at the gate. Katoma jumped up. “ What art thou 


96 


Wonder- Tales from Russia. 


waiting for, dog’s meat? ” caught her by the tail, and 
pulled her skin off. 

The princess saw this and cried : ‘‘ What is that 
scoundrel of a herdsman doing? Seize him; bring 
him to me ! ” 

Here the servants caught Katoma and dragged him 
to the palace. He made no excuse, for he was confi- 
dent in himself. They brought him to the palace. She 
looked at him and asked : “ Who art thou? Whence 
art thou here ? ” 

“ I am the man whose feet thou didst cut off, and 
thou didst seat me on a stump ; they call me Uncle 
Katoma of the Oaken Cap.” 

Well,” thought the princess, “ if he has brought 
back his feet, there is no use in playing tricks with 
him ; ” and she begged forgiveness of him, was sorry 
for her sins, and took an oath to love Ivan Tsarevich 
forever and obey him in all things. 

Ivan Tsarevich forgave her, and began to live with 
her in peace and harmony. The blind hero lived 
with them, and Uncle Katoma went with his wife to 
the rich merchant and lived in his house. 


THE THREE KINGDOMS. 


I N that ancient time when God’s world was full 
of wood-demons, witches, and river-maidens, 
when rivers of milk were flowing between banks of 
jelly, when over the fields roast partridges were 
flying, there lived a Tsar, Goroh by name, with his 
Tsaritsa, Anastasia the Beautiful ; and they had three 
sons. A misfortune not small happened, — an un- 
clean spirit carried away the Tsaritsa. 

Said the eldest son to the Tsar: “ Father, give me 
thy blessing ; I will go in search of my mother.” 

He went away and vanished ; for three years 
there were neither tidings nor report of him. 

The second son began to ask: “ Father, give me 
thy blessing for the road, for the journey. Perhaps 
I may have the luck to find my brother and my 
mother.” 

The Tsar gave his blessing. The Tsarevich rode 
off and also disappeared as if he had sunk in 
water. 

Ivan, the youngest son, came to the Tsar. “ My 
dear father, give me thy blessing for the road, for 
the journey; perhaps I shall find my brothers and 
mother.” 

“ Go thy way, my dear son.” 

7 


98 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


Ivan Tsarevich set out for a strange, distant region. 
He travelled and travelled, and reached the blue sea. 
He stopped on the shore and thought : “ Whither 
can I hold my way now? ” All at once there flew to 
sea three and thirty spoonbills, struck the earth, and 
became fair maidens, — all beautiful, but one was 
better than all the rest. They undressed and rushed 
into the water. Whether they were bathing a long 
or short time, Ivan Tsarevich stole up and took the 
girdle of that maiden who was better than all the 
rest and hid it in his bosom. When they had fin 
ished bathing they came out on shore and began to 
dress. One girdle was gone. 

“ Ah ! Ivan Tsarevich,” said the beauty, give me 
my girdle.” 

‘‘ Tell me first where my mother is.” 

“ Thy mother is at the house of my father, Raven 
son of Raven (Voron Voronovich). Go up along 
the sea, thou wilt meet a silver bird with a golden 
crest; wherever it flies do thou follow.” 

Ivan Tsarevich gave her the girdle and went along 
the sea ; there he met his brothers, exchanged greet- 
ings, and took them with him. They went together 
along the shore, saw the golden-tufted silver bird, 
and ran after it. The bird flew and flew till it 
rushed under an iron plate into an opening. 

‘'Well, brothers,” said Ivan Tsarevich, “give me 
your blessing in the place of father and mother. I 
will let myself down into this opening and discover 


The Three Kingdoms. 99 

what a land of strange faith is like, — perhaps our 
mother is there.” 

His brothers gave him their blessing. He sat on 
a rope swing, crawled into that deep opening, and 
went down no short distance. Just three years was 
he letting himself down, and then went on his road 
and way. He went and went, went and went. He 
saw the Copper Kingdom. In the castle were sitting 
three and thirty spoonbill maidens. They were em- 
broidering towels with cunning designs, with towns 
and suburbs. 

“ Hail, Ivan Tsarevich ! ” said the Tsaritsa of the 
Copper Kingdom. Whither dost thou hold thy 
way? ” 

“ I am going in search of my mother.” 

‘*Thy mother is with my father, Raven son of 
Raven. He is cunning and wise; over mountains 
and valleys, over caves and clouds, has he flown. He 
will slay thee, good youth. Here is a ball for thee. 
Go to my second sister ; hear what she will tell thee. 
If thou comest back, forget me not.” 

Ivan rolled the ball and followed ; he came to the 
Silver Kingdom. The Tsaritsa of the Silver Kingdom 
said : “ Till now the Russian odor was not to be seen 
with sight nor heard with hearing ; but now the Rus- 
sian odor appears visibly. Well, Ivan Tsarevich, art 
fleeing from work, or seekest work? ” 

“ Ah, fair maiden ! I am in search of my mother.” 

“Thy mother is with my father. Raven son of 


lOO 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


Raven. Cunning is he and wise ; over mountains, over 
valleys has he flown, over caves, over clouds has he 
swept. Oh, Tsarevich, he will slay thee ! Here is a 
ball. Go to my youngest sister ; hear what she will 
say to thee, whether to go on or come back.” 

Ivan Tsarevich came to the Golden Kingdom; 
there three and thirty spoonbill maidens were sit- 
ting embroidering towels. Taller than all, fairer 
than all, was the Tsaritsa of the Golden kingdom, — 
a beauty that could not be told of in a tale or 
described with a pen. 

“ Hail, Ivan Tsarevich ! ” said she. Whither dost 
thou hold thy way?” 

“ I am going to seek my mother.” 

Thy mother is with my father. Raven son of 
Raven. Cunning is he and wise. Oh, Tsarevich, he 
will slay thee surely ! Here is a ball for thee. Go 
now to the Pearl Kingdom ; there thy mother lives. 
When she sees thee she will be rejoiced, and that 
moment will say, * Nurses and maidens, bring my son 
green wine ; ’ but take it not. Ask her to give thee 
wine three years old that is in the cupboard, and a 
burnt crust for lunch, and do not forget that my 
father has in the yard two jars of water, — one water 
of strength, the other of weakness; put each in 
the place of the other, and drink of the water of 
strength.” 

The Tsarevich talked a long time with the Tsaritsa, 
and they fell in love with each other to such a degree 


The Three Kingdoms. loi 

that they hated to part ; but there was no help for 
them. Ivan Tsarevich took farewell of her and went 
on his journey. He travelled and travelled till he 
came to the Pearl Kingdom. His mother saw him, 
was delighted, and cried out, “ Nurses and maidens, 
bring my son green wine.” 

“ I drink no common wine ; give me wine three 
years old, and for a bite a burnt crust.” He drank 
wine three years old, ate the burnt crust, went out in 
the broad court, put each jar in the place of the other, 
and fell to drinking the water of strength. 

All at once Raven son of Raven flew home, bright 
as the clear day; but when he saw Ivan Tsarevich he 
grew gloomier than the dark night. He stooped 
down to the jar, and began to drink the water of 
weakness. Then Ivan Tsarevich fell upon his wings, 
and Raven son of Raven soared high, high ; he bore 
Ivan over mountains, over valleys, over caves, over 
clouds. “ What dost thou need, Ivan Tsarevich ? 
If thou wishest, I will give thee treasure.” 

“ I want nothing but the feather staff.” 

No, Ivan Tsarevich, thou wishest to sit in a very 
wide sleigh.” And again Raven son of Raven bore 
him over mountains, over valleys, over caves, over 
clouds. 

Ivan held firmly, bore down with all his weight, 
and nearly broke the wings of Raven son of Raven, 
who screamed, “ Break not my wings; take the 
feather staff! ” He gave Ivan the feather staff, 


102 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


became a common raven himself, and flew away to 
the steep mountains. 

Ivan Tsarevich went back, came to the Pearl King- 
dom, took his mother, and set out for home. He 
looked ; the Pearl Kingdom had turned into a ball, 
and was rolling after him. He came to the Golden 
Kingdom, then to the Silver, and then to the Copper 
Kingdom. He took and brought with him the three 
beautiful Tsaritsas, and those kingdoms were wound 
into balls and rolled after him. He came to the 
rope swing and sounded a golden trumpet: “My 
own brothers, if ye are alive, do not betray me.” 

The brothers heard the call, and drew out into the 
white world the beautiful soul maiden, the Tsaritsa of 
the Copper Kingdom. They saw her, and began to 
fight among themselves ; one would not yield to the 
other. 

“Why fight, good youths?” said the maiden. 
“ Down there are better than I.” 

They let down the rope swing and drew up the 
Tsaritsa of the Silver Kingdom. Again they began 
to dispute and fight ; one said, “ Let her be mine, and 
come to me ; ” the other said, “ I won’t let her be 
thine.” 

“Do not fight, good youths; down there is a 
maiden more beautiful than I.” 

They stopped fighting, put down the rope swing, 
and drew up the Tsaritsa of the Golden Kingdom. 
Again they began to fight; but the Tsaritsa, the 


The Three Kingdoms, 


103 


beauty, immediately stopped them, saying: “ Your 
mother is waiting for you.” They drew out their 
mother, and let down the rope swing for Ivan Tsare- 
vich; they raised him half way, and cut the rope. 
Ivan Tsarevich fell into the depth and was terribly 
shocked ; he lay half a year without senses, came to 
himself, and looked around, remembered everything 
that had happened to him, took out the feather staff, 
and struck the earth with it. That moment twelve 
youths appeared. What is thy command, Ivan 
Tsarevich? ” 

“ Take me out into the free world.” 

The youths seized him under the arms and bore 
him into the free world. Ivan Tsarevich inquired 
about his brothers, and heard that they had married 
long before. The Tsaritsa of the Copper Kingdom 
married the second brother; the Tsaritsa of the 
Silver Kingdom, his eldest brother; but his own 
bride would not marry any man: his old father 
wanted to marry her. He summoned a council, ac- 
cused his wife of intimacy with evil spirits, and gave 
command to cut her head off. After the execution 
he said to the Tsaritsa of the Golden Kingdom: 
“Wilt thou marry me?” 

“ I will when thou makest shoes for me without 
measure.” 

The Tsar gave command to issue a call and ask 
all and each, would any man make shoes for the 
Tsaritsa without taking her measure. At this time 


104 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


Ivan Tsarevich had come to his own kingdom, and 
hired as a workman with a certain old man ; and he 
sent him to the Tsar: “Go, grandfather, take this 
affair on thyself, and I will make the shoes for thee ; 
but do not tell about me.” 

The old man went to the Tsar. “ I,” said he, “ am 
ready to undertake the work.” 

The Tsar gave him leather for a pair of shoes, and 
asked : “ But canst thou do it, old man? ” 

“ Never fear, Gosudar. I have a son who is a 
shoemaker.” 

When he came home the old man gave the leather 
to Ivan Tsarevich, who cut it into bits and threw it 
out of the window; then he opened the Golden 
Kingdom and took out shoes already made. “ Here, 
grandfather, take these and carry them to the Tsar.” 

The Tsar was delighted, and urged the bride: 
“ Shall we go to the crown soon ? ” 

She answered : “ I will marry thee if thou wilt 
make for me robes to fit without measure.” 

The Tsar again was in trouble ; he assembled all 
the dressmakers, and offered them much money if 
they would only make robes to fit without measuring 
the Tsaritsa. 

Ivan Tsarevich said to the old man : “ Grandfather, 
go to the Tsar, get cloth ; I will sew robes for thee, 
but do not tell of me.” 

The old man dragged himself off to the palace, 
took satin and velvet, came home, and gave it to the 


The Three Kingdoms. 


105 


Tsarevich. Ivan Tsarevich took scissors straightway, 
and cut all the satin and velvet to pieces and threw 
them out of the window. Then he opened the 
Golden Kingdom and took out the most beautiful 
robes and gave them to the old man, saying, “ Take 
these to the palace." 

The Tsar was delighted. ‘‘ Well, my beloved bride, 
is it not time for us to go to the crown ? " 

The Tsaritsa answered : “ I will marry thee when 
thou wilt take the son of that old man and command 
that he be boiled in milk." 

The Tsar thought awhile, then gave the command ; 
and that day they collected three gallons of milk 
from each house, filled a great caldron, and boiled it 
on a hot fire. They brought Ivan Tsarevich. He 
took farewell of all, bowed to the earth, then threw 
himself into the caldron, dived once, dived twice, 
sprang out such a beauty that it could neither be told 
of in a tale nor described with a pen. 

Said the Tsaritsa: ‘‘Look, Tsar! Whom shall I 
marry, — thee, old man, or that gallant youth? " 

The Tsar thought awhile. “If I bathe in the 
milk, I shall become just such a beauty as he." He 
sprang into the caldron, and was cooked in a minute. 
But Ivan Tsarevich went to be crowned with the 
Tsaritsa of the Golden Kingdom ; they were crowned, 
and began to live and live on, gaining wealth. 


KOSHCHEI WITHOUT-DEATH. 


I T happened that once there lived in a certain land a 
Tsar and aTsaritsa. They had a son, Ivan Tsare- 
vich. When an infant the maidens rocked him ; but 
do what they might, they could not rock him to sleep. 
“ Tsar, great Gosudar, come, rock thy own son.” The 
Tsar went to rock the child : “ Sleep, little son, sleep 
my own dear ; thou wilt grow up a man. I will get thee 
Peerless Beauty as bride, — the daughter of three 
mothers, the granddaughter of three grandmothers, 
and the sister of nine brothers.” The Tsarevich went 
to sleep and slept for three days and three nights; 
woke up, and cried more than before. 

The maidens rock him, but they cannot rock him 
to sleep ; they call his father : “ Tsar, great Gosuddr, 
come, rock thy own son.” 

The Tsar rocked him, saying, “ Sleep, little son, 
sleep, my own dear; thou wilt grow up a man. I 
will get thee Peerless Beauty as bride, the daughter 
of three mothers, the granddaughter of three grand- 
mothers, and the sister of nine brothers.” The 
Tsarevich fell asleep, and again slept three days and 
three nights. He woke up and cried more than ever. 
The maidens rock him, they cannot rock him to 


Koshchei Without- Death, 


107 


sleep. “ Come, Tsar, great Gosudar,” said they, 
“ rock thy own son.” 

The Tsar rocked him, saying the while, “ Sleep, 
little son, sleep, my own dear ; thou wilt grow up a 
man. I will get thee Peerless Beauty as bride, the 
daughter of three mothers, the granddaughter of 
three grandmothers.” 

The Tsarevich fell asleep and slept again three 
days and three nights. He woke up and said, “ Give 
thy blessing, father ; I am going to marry.” 

“What dost thou mean, my dear little child? 
Whither canst thou go ? Thou art but nine days of 
age in all.” 

“ If thou wilt give me thy blessing, I ’ll go ; if not, 
I ’ll go also.” 

“ Well, the Lord guide thee.” 

Ivan Tsarevich arrayed himself, and went to find 
a horse. He went a short way from the house, and 
met an old man. “ Where art thou going, young 
man,” asked he, — “ of thy own will, or against thy 
will?” 

“ I will not talk with thee,” answered the Tsarevich. 
He went on a little, changed his mind. “ Why did I 
not say something to the old man. Old people bring 
us to sense.” Straightway he overtook the old man. 
“ Stop, grandfather. Of what didst thou ask me ? ” 

“ I asked where art thou going, young man, — of 
thy own will, or against thy will ? ” 

“ I go so much of my own will, and twice that much 


io8 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


against my will. I was in early years; my father 
rocked me in the cradle; he promised to get me 
Peerless Beauty as bride.” 

“ Thou art a good youth, thou art well spoken ; 
but thou canst not go on foot. Peerless Beauty dwells 
far away.” 

How far?” 

In the Golden Kingdom, at the end of the white 
world, where the sun comes up.” 

“ What am I to do? I, young man, have no saddle- 
horse unridden, and silken whip unused that are fit- 
ting for me.” 

“Why hast thou not? Thy father has thirty 
horses all alike. Go home, tell the grooms to water 
them at the blue sea; and whichever horse shall 
push ahead, enter the water to its neck, and when it 
drinks, waves rise on the blue sea and roll from 
shore to shore, that one take.” 

“•God save thee for the good word, grandfather ! ” 

As the old man taught him, so did the Tsarevich 
do, — he chose for himself an heroic steed, passed 
the night, rose next morning early, opened the gate, 
and was preparing to go. 

The horse spoke to him in the language of men : 
“ Ivan Tsarevich, drop to the earth ; I will push thee 
three times.” He pushed him once, he pushed him 
twice ; but the third time he pushed not. “ If thou 
wert pushed a third time, the earth would not bear 
thee and me.” 


Koshchei Without- Death, 


109 


Ivan Tsarevich took his horse from the chains, sad- 
dled him, sat on him. The Tsar barely sees his son. 
He rides far, far. The day is growing short, night is 
coming on. A house stood like a town, each room is 
a chamber. He came to the house, straight to the 
porch, tied his horse to the copper ring, went into the 
first chamber, then into the second, prayed to God, 
asked to spend the night. 

“ Stay the night, good youth,” said an old woman. 
‘‘Whither is God bearing thee?” 

“ Old woman, thou dost ask impolitely. First give 
me to eat and to drink, put me to rest, and then ask 
me for news.” 

She gave him food and drink, put him to bed, and 
then asked for news. 

“ I was, grandmother,” said he, “ in tender years ; 
my father rocked me in the cradle, and promised 
me Peerless Beauty as bride, — the daughter of three 
mothers, the granddaughter of three grandmothers, 
and the sister of nine brothers.” 

“ Thou art a good youth, and fair spoken. I am 
living to the end of the seventh ten of years, and of 
that beauty I have not heard. Farther on the road 
lives my elder sister ; maybe she knows. But sleep 
now; the morning is wiser than the evening.” 

Ivan Tsarevich passed the night; next morning he 
rose early, washed himself white, led forth his steed, 
saddled him, put his foot in the stirrup. The old 
woman merely saw him. He rode far with distance. 


I lO 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


high with height; the day was shortening, coming 
toward night. There stood a house like a town, each 
room was a chamber. He rode to the porch, tied 
his horse to a silver ring, went to the entrance, and 
then to the chamber, prayed to God, asked a night’s 
lodging. An old woman said : “ Tfu, tfu ! so far a 
Russian bone was not seen with sight nor heard 
with hearing ; but now a Russian bone has come itself 
to the house. Where hast thou come from, Ivan 
Tsarevich ? ” 

“ Oh, thou old hag, how angry thou art ! Thou dost 
not ask with politeness ; thou shouldst first give me 
food and drink, put me to rest, then ask for news.” 

She seated him at the table, gave him food and 
drink, put him to rest, sat at the head of the bed, and 
inquired; “ Where is God bearing thee?” 

“ I was in tender years, grandmother ; my father 
rocked me in the cradle and promised me Peerless 
Beauty as bride, — the daughter of three mothers, the 
granddaughter of three grandmothers, and the sister 
of nine brothers.” 

“ Thou art a good youth, of kind speech. I am liv- 
ing toward the end of the eighth ten of years, and of 
that beauty I have never heard. Before thee on the 
road lives my elder sister, — mayhap she knows ; she 
has answer-givers. Her first answer-givers are the 
beasts of the forests, the second are the birds of the 
air, the third are the fish and creatures of the sea. 
Whatever is in the white world obeys her. Go to her 


Koshchei Without-Death. 


Ill 


in the morning, but sleep now ; the morning is wiser 
than the evening.” 

Ivan Tsarevich passed the night, rose early, washed 
himself very white, sat on his steed, and vanished. 
He rode far with distance, high with height. The day 
was growing short, drawing near to the night ; and 
there stood a house like a town, each room was a 
chamber. He came to the porch, tied his horse to 
a golden ring, then went to the entrance, and next 
to the chamber, prayed to God, and asked a night’s 
lodging. An old woman screamed at him. Oh, 
thou, this and that kind of man, thou art not 
worthy of an iron ring, and thou hast tied thy horse 
to a gold one ! ” 

“Well, grandmother, scold not; the horse may be 
loosed and tied to another ring.” 

“ Oh, good hero, have I given thee a fright? Be 
not afraid ; sit on the bench, and I will ask from what 
stock, from what town, thou dost come.” 

“ Oh, grandmother, thou shouldst first give me 
food and drink, then ask for the news ! Thou seest 
I ’m a wayfaring man ; I Ve not eaten all day.” 

Straightway the old woman set the table, brought 
bread and salt, poured out a glass of vodka^ and 
began to entertain Ivan Tsarevich. He ate and 
drank plenty, threw himself on the bed. The old 
woman made no inquiry; he told her himself: was 

in tender years, my father rocked me in the cradle, 
promised me Peerless Beauty as bride, — the daughter 


112 ^ Wonder-Tales from Russia: 

of three mothers, the granddaughter of three grand- 
mothers, and the sister of nine brothers. Do me a 
kindness, grandmother ; tell me where Peerless Beauty 
is living, and how I may reach her.” 

“But, Ivan Tsarevich, I know not myself; I am 
ending the ninth ten of years, and I have not heard of 
that beauty. But sleep now with God ; in the morn- 
ing I will summon my answer-givers, — maybe one 
of them knows.” 

Next day the old woman rose early, washed her- 
self very white, came out with Ivan Tsarevich on the 
porch, cried with a champion’s voice, whistled with a 
hero’s whistle. She cried to the sea-fish and crea- 
tures of the water, “ Come hither.” 

That instant the blue sea boiled up, the fish, great 
and small, came together, all creatures assembled and 
went toward the shore ; they covered the water. 

The old woman asked : “ Where lives Peerless 

Beauty, the daughter of three mothers, the grand- 
daughter of three grandmothers, the sister of nine 
brothers ? ” 

All the fish and all the creatures answered in one 
voice: “We have not seen her with sight, nor heard 
of her with hearing.” 

The old woman shouted over the land : “ Assemble, 
ye beasts of the forest.” 

The beasts run ; they hide the earth. In one voice 
they answer : “We have not seen her with sight, nor 
heard her with hearing.” 


Koshchei Without- Death. 


113 

The old woman cried toward the sky : “ Come hither, 
ye birds of the air ! ” 

The birds fly, they hide the light of day. In one 
voice they answer: “We have not seen her with 
sight, we have not heard her with hearing.” 

“ There is no one else to ask,” said the old woman. 
She took Ivan Tsarevich by the hand and led him 
into the room. They had just come in when the 
Mogol bird arrived on the wing, fell to the ground. 
There was no light in the window. 

“ Oh, thou Mogol bird, where hast thou been fly- 
ing ; why art thou late ? ” 

“ I was arraying Peerless Beauty for mass.” 

“ Thou hast the news I need. Now do me a 
service with faith and truth, — carry Ivan Tsarevich 
to her.” 

“ Gladly would I serve, but much food is needed.” 

“ How much? ” 

“ Three forties of beef, and a vessel of water.” 

Ivan Tsarevich filled the vessel with water, brought 
oxen with beef. He put the kegs on the bird, ran to 
the forge, and had a long iron lance made for him- 
self ; he came back and took farewell of the old 
woman. “Good-by,” said he. “Feed my good steed 
enough ; I will pay thee for everything.” 

He sat on the Mogol bird, and that moment it rose 
up and flew; it flew and looked around continually. 
When it looked, Ivan Tsarevich immediately gave 
a piece of meat on the end of his lance. Now 
8 


1 14 Wonder-Tales from Russia. 

it was flying and flying no short time. The Tsare- 
vich had already given two kegs of beef, and 
had begun on the third ; and he said, “ O Mogol 
bird, fall to the damp earth; small nourishment is 
left.” 

“What art thou saying, Ivan Tsarevich? Below 
us are sleeping forests and sticky morasses ; we could 
not escape to the end of our lives.” 

Ivan Tsarevich gave out all the beef and threw 
down the kegs; but the Mogol bird flies, looks 
around. What can be done ? Ivan Tsarevich 
thought a while, cut off the calves of his own legs, 
and gave them to the bird. It swallowed them, and 
flew out over the green meadow, silken grass, blue 
flowers, then dropped to the earth. Ivan Tsarevich 
stood on his feet, walked along the meadow, was 
lame of both legs. 

“What is the matter, Ivan Tsarevich? Art thou 
lame? ” 

“ I am lame, Mogol bird ; a little while ago I cut 
off my calves to nourish thee.” 

The Mogol bird coughed up the calves, put them 
on the legs of Ivan Tsarevich, blew and spat; the 
calves grew to their places, and the Tsarevich went 
on in strength and activity. He came to a great 
town, and stopped to rest with a grandmother living 
in a backyard. 

“ Sleep, Ivan Tsarevich ; in the morning, when the 
bell rings, I ’ll rouse thee.” 


Koshchei Without-Death 1 1 5 

Ivan Tsarevich lay down and slept that minute; 
he slept the day, slept the night. The bells rang for 
early prayers, the backyard grandmother ran to him, 
fell to beating him with whatever she found at hand, 
but could not rouse him. The morning prayers were 
over, they rang for mass; Peerless Beauty went to 
church. The old grandmother came again, and went 
to work again at Ivan Tsarevich, beat him with what- 
ever came under her hands; with great effort she 
woke him. Ivan Tsarevich sprang up very quickly, 
washed himself very white, dressed, and went to 
mass. He came to the church, prayed before the 
images, bowed down on every side, and especially 
to Peerless Beauty. They stood side by side and 
prayed. At the end of mass she went first to the 
cross, then he went out on a platform, looked at 
the blue sea; ships are approaching, six champions 
came to offer marriage. 

The champions saw Ivan Tsarevich and began t« 
ridicule him: “Oh, thou country clown, is such a 
beauty as this for thee? Thou art not worth her 
middle finger ! ” 

They said this once, they said it twice, they said 
it thrice. Ivan Tsarevich was offended. He swung 
his arm, there was a street; he swung it a second 
time, the place was clear and smooth all around. 
Then he went to the old grandmother. 

“Well, Ivan Tsarevich, hast thou seen Peerless 
Beauty? ” 


Ill 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


** I have, and I shall not forget her for an age.” 

** Now lie down to sleep. To-morrow thou wilt go 
to mass again ; I will wake thee the minute the bell 
rings.” 

The Tsarevich lay down; he slept the day, he 
slept the night. The bell rang for early prayers; 
the grandmother ran to him, began to rouse him; 
whatever happened under her hand, with that she 
beat him ; but she could n’t wake him. They rang 
the bell for mass ; again she beat him and roused 
him. Ivan Tsarevich sprang up very quickly, washed 
very white, dressed, and to church. He entered, 
prayed to the images, bowed on all four sides, es- 
pecially to Peerless Beauty. She looked at him and 
blushed. They stood side by side, prayed to God. 
At the end of mass she went to the cross first, he 
second. The Tsarevich went out on a platform, 
looked on the blue sea; ships were sailing, twelve 
champions came. They began to ask Peerless 
Beauty in marriage, and to make sport of Ivan 
Tsarevich : “ Oh, thou country clown, is such a 
beauty for thee? Thou art not worth her middle 
finger ! ” 

He was offended at these speeches. He swung 
his arm, there was a street; he swung the other, the 
place was clear and smooth around. 

He went to the old grandmother. “ Hast thou 
seen Peerless Beauty?” asked she. 

‘‘ I have, and for an age I shall not forget her.” 


Koshchei Without- Death, 


117 


‘‘ Well, sleep now ; in the morning I will wake thee/' 

Ivan Tsarevich slept the day, he slept the night; 
they rang the bell for morning prayers ; the old 
woman ran in to wake him, beat him with whatever 
happened under her hand, did not spare, but could 
not rouse him. They rang the bell for mass, and 
she was working away all the time at the Tsarevich. 
At last she roused him. He rose up quickly, washed 
himself very white, prepared, dressed, and to church. 
When he came he prayed to the images, bowed on 
all four sides, and separately to Peerless Beauty. 
She saluted him, put him at her right hand, and she 
stood at the left. They stand there, pray to God. 
At the end of mass he went first to the cross, she 
after him. The Tsarevich went out on the platform, 
looked on the blue sea ; ships are sailing, and 
twenty-four champions come to offer marriage to 
Peerless Beauty. 

The champions saw Ivan Tsarevich and straight- 
way began to make sport of him : Oh, country 
clown, is such a beauty for thee? Thou art not 
worth her middle finger ! ” 

They attacked him on every side to take away his 
bride. Ivan Tsarevich did not endure this. He 
swung his arm, there was a street; he swung the 
other, the place was smooth and clear around. He 
killed all to the last man. Peerless Beauty took him 
by the hand, led him to her chambers, seated him at 
the oaken tables, at the spread cloths, entertained 


ii8 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


him, called him her bridegroom. Soon after they 
prepared for the road and set out for the land of 
Ivan Tsarevich. They travelled and travelled, halted 
in the open field to rest. Peerless Beauty lay down 
to sleep, and Ivan Tsarevich guarded her slumber. 
When she had slept enough, and woke up, the Tsa- 
revich said : “ Peerless Beauty, guard my white 
body; I will lie down to sleep.” 

“ But wilt thou sleep long? ” 

“ Nine days and nights ; and I shall not turn from 
one side to the other. If thou tryest to wake me, 
thou wilt not rouse me. When the time comes I 
shall wake myself.” 

“ It is long, Ivan Tsarevich ; I shall be wearied.” 

“Wearied or not, there is no help for it.” 

He lay down to sleep, and slept exactly nine days 
and nights. Meanwhile Koshchei Without-Death 
bore away Peerless Beauty to his own kingdom. 
Ivan Tsarevich woke up; there was no Peerless 
Beauty. He began to weep, and went along neither 
by the road nor the way. Whether it was long or 
short, he came to the kingdom of Koshchdi Without- 
Death, and begged lodgings of an old woman. 

“ Well, Ivan Tsarevich, why art thou so sad 
looking? ” 

“ Thus and thus, grandmother ; I had everything, 
now I have nothing.” 

“ Thy affair is a bad one, Ivan Tsarevich ; thou 
canst not kill Koshchei.” 


Koshchei Without-Death, 


119 


Well, I will look on my bride at least.’* 

“ Lie down, sleep till morning ; to-morrow Koshchdi 
will go to war.” 

Ivan Tsarevich lay down, but sleep did not come 
to his mind. In the morning Koshchei went out of 
the house, and Ivan Tsarevich went in. He stood at 
the gate and knocked. Peerless Beauty opened it, 
looked at him, and fell to weeping. They went to 
the upper chamber, sat at the table, and talked. 
Ivan Tsarevich instructed her. “ Ask Koshchei where 
his death is.” 

I will.” 

He had just left the house when Koshchei came in. 
“ Oh ! ” said he, “ it smells of the Russian bone ; it 
must be that Ivan Tsarevich was with thee.” 

“ What art thou thinking of, Koshchei Without- 
Death? Where could I see Ivan Tsarevich. He 
has remained in slumbering forests and in sticky 
quagmires ; wild beasts have destroyed him ere 
now.” 

They sat down to sup. At supper Peerless Beauty 
said : Tell me, Kosh'^h^i Without-Death, where is 

thy death? ” 

''Why dost thou wish to know, silly woman? 
My death is tied up in the broom.” 

Early next morning Koshchei went to war. Ivan 
Tsarevich came to Peerless Beauty. She took the 
broom, gilded it brightly with pure gold. The 
Tsarevich had just departed when Koshchei came 


120 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


in. “ Ah ! said he, “ it smells of the Russian bone ; 
Ivan Tsarevich has been with thee.” 

“ What dost thou mean, Koshchei Without-Death? 
Thou hast been flying through Russia thyself and 
hast caught up the odor of Russia ; it is from thee. 
Where should I see Ivan Tsarevich? ” 

At supper Peerless Beauty sat on a small bench 
and seated Koshchei on a large one. He looked 
under the threshold; the broom was lying there 
gilded. “ What does this mean? ” 

“ Oh, Koshchei Without-Death, thou seest thyself 
how I honor thee ! ” 

Oh, simple woman, I was joking ! My death is 
out there, fastened in the oak fence.” 

Next day Koshchei went away. Ivan Tsarevich 
came and gilded the whole fence. Towards evening 
Koshchei came home. Ah ! ” said he, “ it smells 
of the Russian bone. Ivan Tsarevich has been with 
thee.” 

“What dost thou mean, Koshchei Without-Death? 
It seems I have told thee times more than one, 
where am I to see Ivan Tsarevich? He has remained 
in dark forests, in sticky quagmires ; the wild beasts 
have torn him to pieces ere now.” 

Supper-time came. Peerless Beauty sat on a bench 
herself, and seated him on a chair. Koshchei looked 
through the window, saw the fence gilded, shining 
like fire. “What is that?” 

“ Thou seest thyself, Koshchei, how I respect thee. 


Koshchei Without- Death. 


I2I 


If thou art dear to me, of importance is thy 
death.” 

This speech pleased Koshchei Without-Death. 
“ Oh, simple woman, I was joking with thee ! My 
death is in an egg, the egg is in a duck, and the 
duck is in a stump floating on the sea.” 

When Koshchei went off to war, Peerless Beauty 
baked cakes for Ivan Tsarevich and told him where 
to look for the death of Koshchei. Ivan Tsarevich 
went neither by road nor by way, came to the ocean 
sea broad, and knew not where to go farther. The 
cakes had long since given out, and he had nothing 
to eat. All at once a hawk flew up. Ivan Tsarevich 
aimed. “Well, hawk, I ’ll shoot thee and eat thee raw.” 

“ Do not eat me, Ivan Tsarevich; I will serve thee 
in time of need.” 

A bear ran along. “ Oh, bear, crooked paw, I ’ll 
kill thee and eat thee raw ! ” 

“ Do not eat me, Ivan Tsarevich; I ’ll serve in time 
of need.” 

Behold, a pike is struggling on the beach. “ Oh, 
big-toothed pike, thou hast come to it ! I ’ll eat thee 
raw.” 

“ Eat me not, Ivan Tsarevich ; better throw me into 
the sea. I will serve thee in time of need.” 

Ivan stood there thinking, “ The time of need will 
come, it is unknown when. But now I must go 
hungry.” All at once the blue sea boiled up, waves 
rose, began to cover the shore. Ivan Tsarevich ran 


122 


Wonder- Tales from Russia, 


up the hill, ran with all his might, and the water 
followed at his heels; chasing, he ran to the very 
highest place and climbed a tree. A little later the 
water began to fall, the sea grew calm, fell, and a 
great stump was left on land. The bear ran up, 
raised the stump, and when he had hurled it to the 
ground the stump opened; out flew a duck and 
soared high, high. That minute, from wherever he 
came, the hawk flew, caught the duck, and in a 
twinkle tore her in two. An egg fell out ; then the 
pike caught it, swam to the beach, and gave the 
to Ivan Tsarevich, who put it in his bosom 
and went to Koshchei Without-Death. He came 
to the house. Peerless Beauty met him, she kissed 
him on the lips and fell on his shoulder. Koshchei 
Without-Death was sitting at the window cursing. 

“ Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, thou wishest to take Peerless 
Beauty from me ; and so thou wilt not live.” 

“ Thou didst take her from me thyself,” answered 
Ivan Tsarevich, took the egg from his bosom, and 
showed it to Koshchei. “ What is this? ” 

The light grew dim in the eyes of Koshchei ; then 
he became mild and obedient. Ivan Tsarevich 
threw the egg from one hand to the other. Koshchei 
Without-Death staggered from corner to corner. 
This seemed pleasant to the Tsarevich. He threw 
the egg more quickly from hand to hand, and broke 
it; then Koshch6i fell and died. 

Ivan Tsarevich attached the horses to his golden 


Koshchei Without-Death. 


123 


carriage, took whole bags filled with gold and silver, 
and went to his father. Whether it was long or 
short, he came to that old woman who had inquired 
of every creature, fish, bird, and beast. He found 
his steed. “Glory be to God,” said he, “the raven 
(black steed) is alive ; ” and he poured forth gold 
freely for her care of the steed. Though she were 
to live ninety-nine years longer, she would have 
enough. Then the Tsarevich sent a swift courier to 
the Tsar with a letter, in which he wrote: “ Father, 
meet thy son ; I am coming with my bride. Peerless 
Beauty.” 

His father got the letter, read it, and had not belief. 
“How could that be? Ivan Tsarevich left home 
when nine days old ! ” After the courier came the 
Tsarevich himself. The Tsar saw that his son had 
written the real truth ; he ran out to the porch, met 
him, and gave command to beat drums and sound 
music. 

“ Father, bless me for the wedding.” 

Tsars have not to brew beer nor make wine ; they 
have much of all things. That same day there was 
a joyous feast and a wedding. They crowned Ivan 
Tsarevich and Peerless Beauty, and put out on all 
streets great jars of various drinks; every one could 
come and drink what his soul desired. I was there, 
drank mead and wine ; it flowed on my mustaches, 
but was not in my mouth. 


VASSILISSA GOLDEN TRESS, BAREHEADED 
BEAUTY. 



‘HERE lived a Tsar Svaitozar. This Tsar had 


two sons and a beauty of a daughter. Twenty 
years did she live in her bright chamber. The Tsar 
and Tsaritsa admired her, and so did the nurses and 
maidens ; but no one of the princes and champions 
had seen her face. And this beauty was called Vassi- 
lissa Golden Tress. She went nowhere out of her 
chamber ; the Tsarevna did not breathe the free air. 
She had many bright dresses and jewels, but was 
wearied ; it was oppressive for her in the chamber. 
Her robes were a burden, her thick golden silk hair, 
covered with nothing, bound in a tress, fell to her 
feet, and people called her Vassilissa Golden Tress, 
Bareheaded Beauty. The kingdom was filled with 
her fame. Many Tsars heard of her and sent envoys 
to Tsar Svaitozar to beat with the forehead and ask 
the Tsarevna in marriage. 

The Tsar was in no hurry, but when the time came, 
he sent messengers to all lands with tidings that the 
Tsarevna would choose a bridegroom; and inviting 
Tsars and Tsareviches to assemble and collect at his 
palace to feast, he went himself to the lofty chamber 


Vassilissa Golden Tress, 


125 


to tell Vassilissa the Beautiful. It was gladsome in 
the heart of the Tsarevna. Looking out of the slop- 
ing window from behind the golden lattice on the 
green garden, the flowery meadow, she was eager to 
walk ; she asked him to let her go forth to the garden 
to play with the maidens. “ My sovereign father,” 
said she, “ I have not seen the world of God yet, I 
have not walked on the grass, on the flowers, I have 
not looked on thy palace ; let me go with my nurses 
and maidens to walk in thy garden.” 

The Tsar permitted, and Vassilissa the Beautiful 
went down from the lofty chamber to the broad court. 
The plank gate was open, and she appeared in the 
green meadow. In front was a steep mountain ; on 
that mountain grew curly trees ; on the meadow 
were beautiful flowers of many kinds. The Tsarevna 
plucked blue flowers, stepped aside a little from her 
nurses ; there was no caution in her young mind ; 
her face was exposed, her beauty uncovered. Sud- 
denly a mighty whirlwind rose, such as had not been 
seen, heard of, or remembered by old people ; the 
whirlwind turned and twisted — behold, it seized the 
Tsarevna and carried her through the air. 

The nurses screamed and shrieked : they ran and 
stumbled, threw themselves on every side ; they saw 
nothing but how the whirlwind shot away with her. 
And Vassilissa Golden Tress was borne over many 
lands, across deep rivers, through three kingdoms into 
the fourth, into the dominions of the Savage Serpent 


126 ^Wonder- Tales from Russia. 

The nurses hurry to the palace, covering them- 
selves with tears, throw themselves at the feet of the 
Tsar. “ Sovereign, we are not answerable for the 
misfortune, we are answerable to thee. Give not com- 
mand to slay us, command us to speak. The whirl- 
wind bore away our sun, Vassilissa Golden Tress, the 
Beauty, and it is unknown whither.” 

The Tsar was sad, he was angry ; but in his anger 
he pardoned the poor women. 

Next morning the princes and kings’ sons came to 
the Tsar’s palace, and seeing the sadness and serious- 
ness of the Tsar they asked him what had happened. 

“There is a sin to my account,” said the Tsar. 
“ My dear daughter, Vassilissa Golden Tress, has been 
borne away by the whirlwind, I know not whither ; ” 
and he told everything as it had happened. 

Talk rose among the guests, and the princes and 
kings’ sons thought and talked among themselves. 
“ Is not the Tsar refusing us ; is he not unwilling 
to let us see his daughter?” They rushed to the 
chamber of the Tsarevna; nowhere did they find 
her. 

The Tsar made them presents, gave to each one 
from his treasure. They mounted their steeds, he 
conducted them with honor; the bright guests took 
farewell, and went to their own lands. 

The two young Tsareviches, brave brothers of Vas- 
silissa Golden Tress, seeing the tears of their father 
and mother, begged of their parents : “ Let us go, 


Vassilissa Golden Tress, 


127 


our father, — bless us, our mother, — to find your 
daughter, our sister.” 

My dear sons, my own children,” said the Tsar, 
without joy, ‘‘ where will ye go? ” 

“We will go, father, everywhere, — where a road 
lies, where a bird flies, where the eyes have vision ; 
mayhap we shall find her.” 

The Tsar gave his blessing, the Tsaritsa prepared 
them for the journey; they wept, and they parted. 

The two Tsareviches journeyed on. Whether the 
road was near or far, long in going or short, they did 
not know. They travelled a year, they travelled two. 
They passed three kingdoms, lofty mountains were 
visible and seemed blue; between these mountains 
were sandy plains, — the land of the Savage Serpent. 
And the Tsareviches inquired of those whom they 
met had they not heard, had they not seen, where 
Tsarevna Vassilissa Golden Tress was. And from 
all the answer was one : “ We know not where she 
is, and we have not heard.” 

The Tsar’s sons approach a great town; a de- 
crepit old man stands on the road; crooked-eyed 
and lame, with a crutch and a bag, he begs alms. 
The Tsareviches stopped, threw him a silver coin, 
and asked had he not seen, had he not heard of 
the Tsarevna Vassilissa Golden Tress, Bareheaded 
Beauty? 

“ Ah I my friend,” said the old man, “ it is clear 
that thou art from a strange land. Our ruler, the 


128 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


Savage Serpent, has forbidden strongly and sternly 
to speak with men from abroad. We are forbidden 
under penalty to tell or relate how a whirlwind bore 
past the town the beautiful princess.” 

Now the sons of the Tsar understood that their 
sister was near. They urged on their restive steeds 
and approached the castle of gold which stood on a 
single pillar of silver ; over the castle was a curtain 
of diamonds ; the stairways, mother-of-pearl, opened 
and closed like wings. 

At this moment Vassilissa the Beautiful was look- 
ing in sadness through the golden lattice, and she 
screamed out for joy. She knew her brothers from 
a distance, just as if her heart had told her. And 
the Tsarevna sent down in silence to meet them, to 
bring them to the castle; the Savage Serpent was 
absent. 

Vassilissa the Beautiful was wary ; she feared the 
serpent might see them. They had barely entered 
when the silver pillar groaned, the stairways opened, 
all the roofs glittered ; the whole castle began to turn 
and move. The Tsarevna was frightened, and said to 
her brothers: “The serpent is coming, the serpent 
is coming; that’s why the castle goes round ! Hide, 
brothers ! ” 

She had barely said this when the Savage Serpent 
flew in, cried with a thundering voice, and whistled 
with a hero’s whistle: “ What living man is here? ” 

“ We, Savage Serpent,” answered the Tsar’s sons, 


Vassiltssa Golden Tress, 


129 


without fear; “from our birthplace we Ve come for 
our sister.” 

“ Oh, the young men are here ! ” shouted the ser- 
pent, clapping his wings. “ Ye should not die here 
from me, nor seek your sister to free; her own broth- 
ers, champions, are ye, but champions puny I see.” 
And the serpent caught one of them with his wing, 
struck him against the other, whistled and shouted. 
The castle guard ran to him, took the dead Tsare- 
viches, threw them both down a deep ditch. 

The Tsarevna Vassilissa Golden Tress covered 
herself with tears, took neither food nor drink, would 
not look on the world. Two days and three passed. 
It was not right she should die, she did not decide to 
die; she took pity on her beauty, took counsel of 
hunger. On the third day she ate, and was thinking 
how to free herself from the serpent, and began to 
gain knowledge by wheedling. 

“ Savage Serpent,” said she, “ great is thy power, 
mighty thy flight : is it possible that thou hast no foe?” 

“Not yet,” replied the serpent; “it was fated at 
my birth that my foe should be Ivan Goroh [John 
Pea] ; and he will be born from a pea.” 

The serpent said this in jest; he expected no foe. 
The strong one relied on his strength; but the jest 
came true. 

The mother of Vassilissa Golden Tress was griev- 
ing because she had no news of her children after 
the Tsarevna, the Tsareviches, were lost. 

9 


1^0 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


She went one day to walk in the garden with her 
ladies; the day was hot, she was thirsty. In that 
garden, from a foot-hill, spring water ran forth in a 
stream, and above it was a white marble well. They 
drew, with a golden cup, water pure as a tear. The 
Tsaritsa was eager to drink, and with the water she 
swallowed a pea. The pea burst, and the Tsaritsa 
became heavy; the pea increased and grew. In 
time the Tsaritsa gave birth to a son ; they called 
him Ivan Goroh, and he grew, not by the year, but 
by the hour, smooth and plump ; he is lively, laughs, 
jumps, springs on the sand, and his strength is grow- 
ing in him all the time, so that at ten years he was 
a mighty champion. Then he asked the Tsar and 
Tsaritsa if he had had many brothers and sisters, and 
he heard how it happened that the whirlwind had 
borne away his sister, it was unknown whither, how 
his two brothers had begged to go in search of their 
sister, and were lost without tidings. 

“ Father, mother,” begged Ivan Goroh, “ let me 
go too ; give me your blessing to find my brothers 
and sister.” 

“ What art thou saying, my child ? ” asked the 
Tsar and Tsaritsa at once. “Thou art still green 
and young; thy brothers went, they were lost, thou 
wilt go too and be lost.” 

“Mayhap I shall not be lost,” said Ivan Goroh. 
“ I want to find my brothers and sister.” 

The Tsar and Tsaritsa persuaded and begged their 


Vas silts sa Golden Tress, 


131 

dear son, but he craved, cried, and entreated. They 
prepared him for the road, let him go with tears. 

Ivan Goroh was free. He went out into the open 
field, travelled one day, travelled another. Toward 
night he came to a dark forest ; in that forest was a 
cabin on hen’s legs ; from the wind it was shaking and 
turning. Ivan spoke from the old saying, from his 
nurse’s tale. Cabin, cabin,” said he, “ turn thy back 
to the forest, thy front to me ; ” and the cabin turned 
around to Ivan. Out of the window an old woman was 
looking, and she asked, “ Whom is God bringing?” 

Ivan bowed, and hastened to ask: “ Hast thou not 
seen, grandmother, in what direction the passing 
whirlwind carries beautiful maidens?” 

“ Oh, young man,” said she, coughing, and looking 
at Ivan, that whirlwind has frightened me too, so 
that I sit in this cabin a hundred and twenty years, 
and I go out nowhere ! Maybe he would fly up and 
sweep me away. That ’s not a whirlwind, but the 
Savage Serpent.” 

How could one go to him? ” asked Ivan. 

‘‘ What art thou thinking of, my world ? The serpent 
will swallow thee.” 

“ Maybe he will not swallow me.” 

‘‘ See to it, champion, or thou wilt not save thy 
head. But shouldst thou come back, give me thy 
word to bring from the serpent’s castle water with 
which, if a man sprinkles himself, he will grow 
young,” said she, moving her teeth beyond measure. 


132 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


“ I will get it, grandmother, I give thee my word.” 

I believe thee, on conscience ! Go straight to 
where the sun sets. In one year thou wilt reach the 
bald mountain there ; ask for the road to the serpent’s 
kingdom.” 

“ God save thee, grandmother ! ” 

‘‘ There is no reason for thanks, father.” 

Well, Ivan Goroh went to the land where the sun 
sets. A story is soon told, but a deed ’s not soon 
done. He passed three kingdoms, and went to the 
serpent’s land ; before the gates of the town he saw a 
beggar, — a lame, blind old man with a crutch, — and 
giving him charity, he asked if the young Tsarevna 
Vassilissa Golden Tress was in that town. 

** She is, but it is forbidden to say so,” answered 
the beggar. 

Ivan knew that his sister was there ; the good, bold 
hero became courageous, and went to the palace. 
At that time Vassilissa Golden Tress was looking out 
of the window to see if the Savage Serpent was com- 
ing; and she saw from afar the young champion, 
wished to know of him, sent quietly to learn from 
what land he had come, of what stock was he, was 
he sent by her father or by her own mother. 

Hearing that Ivan, her youngest brother, had come 
(and she did not know him by sight), Vassilissa ran 
to him, wet him with tears. “ Run, brother, quickly ! ” 
cried she. “ The serpent will soon be here ; he will 
see thee, destroy thee.” 


Vasszlissa Golden Tress. 


133 


“ My dear sister,” answered Ivan, ** if another had 
spoken, I should not have listened. I have no fear 
of the serpent, no fear of his strength.” 

“ But art thou Goroh, ” asked Vassilissa Golden 
Tress, “ to manage him? ” 

“ Wait, friend sister; first give me to drink. I have 
travelled under heat, I am tired from the road; I 
want a drink.” 

“ What dost thou drink, brother?” 

** Three gallons of sweet mead, dear sister.” 
Vassilissa gave command to bring a three-gallon 
measure of sweet mead, and Goroh drank it all at 
one breath. He asked for another; the Tsarevna 
gave orders to hurry, looked, and wondered. 

Well, brother, I did not know thee ; but now I 
believe that thou art Ivan Goroh ! ” 

Let me sit down a moment to rest from the 
road.” 

Vassilissa gave command to bring a strong chair; 
but the chair broke under Ivan, flew into bits. They 
brought another all bound with iron, and that one 
cracked and bent. “ Oh, brother,” cried Vassilissa, 
that is the chair of the Savage Serpent ! ” 

“ Now it is clear that I am heavier than he,” said 
Goroh, laughing. 

He rose and went on the street, went from the 
castle to the forge ; there he ordered the old sage, 
the serpent’s blacksmith, to forge him an iron club of 
nine tons weight. The blacksmith hastened the work. 


134 


Wonder-Tales from Russiar 


They hammered the iron ; night and day the hammers 
thundered, the sparks just flying. In forty hours the 
work was done. Fifty men were barely able to carry 
the club; but Ivan Goroh, seizing it in one hand, 
hurled the club to the sky: it flew, roared like a 
storm, whirled above the clouds, vanished from the 
eye. All the people ran trembling from terror, 
thinking if that club falls on the town, it will break 
the walls and crush the people ; if it falls in the sea, 
it will raise the sea and flood the town. But Ivan 
Goroh went quietly to the castle, and gave com- 
mand to tell when the club was coming. The people 
ran from the square, looked from under the gate, 
looked out of windows. Is n’t the club coming? ” 
They waited an hour, they waited two; the third hour 
they ran to say that the club was coming. Goroh 
sprang to the square, put forth his hand, caught 
the club as it came, bent not himself, but the iron 
bent on the palm of his hand. Ivan took the club, 
pressed it against his knee, straightened it, went to 
the castle. 

All at once a terrible whistling was heard, the 
Savage Serpent was racing; Whirlwind, his steed, 
flying like an arrow, breathes fire. The serpent in 
shape is a champion, but his head is the head of a 
serpent. When he flies, the whole castle quivers ; 
when he is ten versts distant, it begins to whirl and 
dance. But now the castle moves not : it is clear that 
some one is sitting inside. The serpent grew thought- 


Vassilissa Golden Tress, 


135 


ful, whistled, shouted ; the whirlwind steed shook his 
dark mane, opened his broad wings, reared and 
roared. 

The serpent flew up to the castle, but the castle 
moves not. “ Ho ! ” roared the Savage Serpent, 
“ it is plain there is a foe. Is not Goroh at my 
house?” Soon came the champion. ‘‘ I ’ll put thee 
on the palm of one hand, and slap with the other; 
they won’t find thy bones.” 

“We shall see,” said Ivan Goroh. 

He went out with his club, and the serpent cried 
from his whirlwind: “ Take thy place in a hurry.” 

“ Take thy own place. Savage Serpent,” said Ivan, 
and raised his club. 

The Savage Serpent flew up to strike Ivan, to 
pierce him with his spear, and missed. Goroh 
sprang to one side, did not stagger. 

“ Now I ’ll finish thee ! ” roared Goroh. Raising his 
club, he struck the serpent a blow that tore him to 
pieces, scattered him; the club went across the earth, 
went through two kingdoms into a third. 

The people hurled up their caps and saluted Ivan 
Tsar. But Ivan seeing the wise blacksmith, as a 
reward for having made the club quickly, he called 
up the old man and said to the people : “ Here is 
your head ; obey him while doing good, as before ye 
obeyed the Savage Serpent for evil.” 

Ivan got also the water of life and the water of 
death, sprinkled his brothers; they rose up, rubbed 


136 


Wonder-Talcs from Russia, 


their eyes and thought, “We slept long ; God knows 
what has happened.” 

“Without me you would have slept forever, my^ 
dear brothers,” said Ivan Goroh, pressing them to his 
restive heart. 

He did not forget to take the serpent’s water ; he 
made a ship, and on the Swan’s river sailed with Vas- 
silissa Golden Tress to his own land through three 
kingdoms into the fourth. He did not forget the old 
woman in the cabin ; he let her wash in the serpent’s 
water. She turned into a young woman, began to 
sing and dance, ran out after Goroh, and conducted 
him to the road. 

His father and mother met him with joy and honor. 
They sent messengers to all lands with tidings that 
their daughter Vassilissa had returned. In the town 
there was ringing, and in the ears triple ringing ; trum- 
pets sounded, drums were beaten, guns thundered. 

A bridegroom came to Vassilissa, and a bride was 
found for the Tsarevich ; they had four crowns made, 
and celebrated two weddings. At the rejoicing, at 
the gladness, there was a feast as a mountain, and 
mead a river. 

The grandfathers of grandfathers were there ; they 
drank mead, and it came to us, flowed on our mus- 
taches, but reached not our mouths. Only it be- 
came known that Ivan, after the death of his father, 
received the crown, and ruled the land with renown ; 
and age after age the name of Goroh was famous. 


THE RING WITH TWELVE SCREWS. 


' i "'HERE lived in a village a son with his mother, 
and the mother was a very old woman. The 
son was called Ivan the Fool. They lived in a poor 
little cottage with one window, and in great poverty. 
Such was their poverty that besides dry bread they 
ate almost nothing, and sometimes they had not even 
the dry bread. The mother would sit and spin, and 
Ivan the Fool would lie on the stove, roll in the ashes, 
and never wipe his nose. His mother would say to 
him time and again : “ Ivanushka, thou art sitting 
there with thy nose unwiped. Why not go some- 
where, even to the public-house? Some kind man 
may come along and take thee to work. Thou 
wouldst have even a bit of bread, while at home here 
we have nothing to keep the life in us.” 

“ Very well, I’ll go,” said Ivan. He rose up and 
went to the public-house. On the way a man met 
him. 

‘‘ Where art thou going, Ivan ? ” 

I am going to hire out to work.” 

“ Come, work for me ; I ’ll give thee such and such 
wages, and other things too.” 

Ivan agreed. He went to work. 


1 3 ^ ‘ . Wo7ider- Talcs from Russia. 


The man had a dog with whelps; one of the 
whelps pleased Ivan greatly, and he trained it. A 
year passed, and the time came to pay wages for the 
work. The man was giving Ivan money, but he 
answered : “ I need not thy money ; give me that 
whelp of thine that I trained.” 

The man was glad that he had not to pay money, 
and gave the whelp. 

Ivan went home ; and when his mother found what 
he had done, she began to cry, saying: “ All people 
are people, but thou art a fool ; we had nothing to 
eat, and now there is another life to support.” 

Ivan the Fool said nothing, sat on the stove with 
unwiped nose, rolling in the ashes, and the whelp 
with him. Some time passed ; whether it was short or 
long, his mother said again : Why art thou sitting 
there without sense ; why not go to the public-house? 
Some good man may come along and hire thee.” 

Very good, I ’ll go,” said the Fool. 

He took his dog and started. A man met him on 
the road. 

Where art thou going, Ivan ? ” 

“ To find service,” said he ; to hire out.” 

‘‘ Come, work for me.” 

Very well,” said Ivan. 

They agreed, and Ivan went again to work; and 
that man had a cat with kittens. One of the kittens 
pleased the Fool, and he trained it. The time came 
for payment. 


The Ring with Twelve Screws. 


139 


Ivan the Fool said to this man : “ I need not thy 
money, but give me that kitten.” 

“ If thou wilt have it,” said the man. 

Now the Fool went home, and his mother cried 
more than before. “ All people are people, but thou 
wert born a fool. We had nothing to eat, and now 
we must support two useless lives ! ” 

It was bitter for Ivan to hear this. He took his 
dog and cat and went out into the field. He saw in 
the middle of the field a fire burning in a great pile 
of wood, — such an awful pile of wood ! When he 
drew nearer he saw that a snake was squirming in it, 
burning on hot coals. 

The snake screamed to him in a human voice: 
“ Oh, Ivan the Fool, save me ! I will give thee a 
great ransom for my life.” 

Ivan took a stick and raised the snake out of the 
fire. 

When he had thrown it out, there stood before 
him, not a snake, but a beautiful maiden; and she 
said : Thanks to thee, Ivanushka. Thou hast done 
me great service ; I will do thee still greater. We will 
go,” said she, “ to my mother. She will offer thee 
copper money : do not take it, because it is coals, and 
not money; she will offer thee silver coin: do not 
take that either, for that will be chips, and not sil- 
ver ; she will bring out to thee gold : take not even 
that, because instead of gold it is potsherds and 
broken bricks. But ask of her in reward the ring 


140 Wonder-Tales from Russia^ 

with twelve screws. It will be hard for her to give it; 
but be firm, she will give it for my sake.’" 

Behold, all took place as she said. Though the 
old woman grew very angry, she gave the ring. Ivan 
was going along through the field, thinking, “What 
shall I do with this ring?” 

He was looking at it, when that same young girl 
caught up with him and said : “ Ivan, whatever thou 
wishest, thou wilt have. Only stand in the evening 
on the threshold, loosen all the twelve screws, and 
before thee twelve thousand men will appear: what- 
ever thou wishest, command ; all will be done.” 

Ivan went home, said nothing to his mother, sat 
on the stove, lay in the ashes with unwiped nose. 
Evening came; they lay down to sleep. 

Ivan waited for the hour, went on the threshold, 
unscrewed the twelve screws, and twelve thousand 
men stood before him. “Thou art our master, we 
are thy men : declare thy soul’s desire.” 

Said Ivan to the men : “ Have it made that on this 
very spot a castle shall stand such as there is not in 
the world, and that I sleep on a bedstead of gold, on 
down of swans, and that my mother sleep in like 
manner; that coachmen, outriders, servants, and all 
kinds of powerful people be walking in my court and 
serving me.” 

“ Lie down for thyself in God’s name,” said the 
men ; “ all will be done at thy word.” 

Ivan the Fool woke up next morning, and was 


The Ring with Twelve Screws, 14 1 


frightened even himself. He looked around; he 
was sleeping on a golden bedstead on down of 
swans, and there were lofty chambers and so rich 
that even the Tsar had not such. In the courtyard 
were walking coachmen, outriders, servants, and all 
kinds of mighty and important people who were 
serving him. The Fool was amazed, and thought, 
“ This is good.” He looked in the mirror, and did 
not know his own self ; he had become a beauty that 
could not be described with a pen or be told of in 
a tale. As was fitting, the lord was as fine as his 
chambers. 

When the Tsar woke up at the same hour, — and 
the Tsar lived in that town, — he looked, and behold 
opposite his palace stood a castle just gleaming in 
gold. 

The Tsar sent to learn whose it was. ** Let the 
owner come to me,” said he, “ and show what sort of 
man he is.” 

They informed Ivan, and he said : ** Tell him that 
this is the castle of Ivan Tsarevich ; and if he wants 
to see me, he is not so great a lord, let him come 
himself” 

There was no help for it. The Tsar had to go to 
Ivan the Fool’s castle. They became acquainted, 
and after that Ivan the Fool went to the Tsar. The 
Tsar had a most beautiful young Tsarevna of a 
daughter, and she brought refreshments to Ivan ; and 
right there she pleased him greatly, and straightway 


142 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


he begged the Tsar to give her in marriage to him. 
Now the Tsar in his turn began to put on airs. 

“Give her, — why not give her? But thou, Ivan 
Tsarevich, perform a service for me. My daughter is 
not of common stock, and therefore she must marry 
only the very best among the whole people. Ar- 
range this for me, that from thy castle to mine there 
be a golden road, and that I have a bridge over the 
river, — not a common one, but such a bridge that 
one side shall be of gold, and the other of silver ; and 
let all kinds of rare birds be swimming on the river, 
— geese and swans; and on the other side of the river 
let there be a church, — not a simple one, but one 
all wax, — and let there grow around it wax apple- 
trees and bear ripe apples. If thou do this, my 
daughter shall be thine; and if not, blame thyself.” 
(“ Well,” thought the Tsar, “ I have joked enough with 
Ivan Tsarevich ; ” but he kept his own counsel.) 

“ Agreed,” said Ivan. “ Now do thou make ready 
the wedding to-morrow.” With that he departed. 

In the evening, when all had lain down to sleep, he 
stood on the threshold, unscrewed all the screws in 
the ring : twelve thousand men stood before him. 

“ Thou art our master, we are thy men : command 
what thy soul desires.” 

“ Thus and thus,” said he; “I want this and that.” 

“ All right,” said they; “ lie down with God.” 

In the morning the Tsar woke up went to the win- 
dow; but his eyes were dazzled. He sprang back 


The Ring with Twelve Screws. 143 


six paces. That meant that the bridge was there, 
one side silver, the other gold, just blazing and shin- 
ing. On the river were geese and swans and every 
rare bird. On the opposite bank stood a church of 
white wax, and around the church apple-trees, but 
without leaves ; the naked branches were sticking up. 

“Well,” thought the Tsar, “the trick has failed; 
we must prepare our daughter for the wedding.” 

They arrayed her and drove to the church. 
When they were driving from the palace, buds began 
to come out on the apple-trees; when they were 
crossing the bridge, the apple-trees were coming into 
leaf; when they were driving up to the church, white 
blossoms were bursting forth on the trees ; and when 
the time came to go home from the marriage cere- 
mony, the servants and all kinds of people met them, 
gave them ripe apples on a golden salver. Then 
they began to celebrate the wedding. Feasts and 
balls were given ; they had a feast which lasted three 
days and three nights. 

After that, whether it was a short time or a long 
one, the Tsarevna began to tease Ivan. “Tell me, 
my dear husband, how dost thou do all this? How 
dost thou build a bridge in one night, and a wax 
church?” 

Ivan the Fool would not tell her for a long time; 
but as he loved her very much, and she begged very 
hard, he said : “ I have a ring with twelve screws, and 
it must be handled in such and such fashion.” 


144 Wofider-Tales from Russia. 

Well, they lived on. The misery of the matter 
was this : one of their servants pleased the Tsarevna, 
— he was a fine-looking, shapely, strong fellow, and 
she conspired with him to rob her husband, take 
away the ring, and the two would then go to live 
beyond the sea. 

As soon as evening came she took out the ring 
quietly, stood on the threshold, and unscrewed the 
twelve screws: twelve thousand men stood before 
her. 

“ Thou art our mistress, we are thy men : command 
what thy soul desires.” 

She said; “Take this castle for me and bear it 
beyond the sea, with all that is in it; and on this 
spot let the old cabin stand, with my ragged husband, 
Ivan the Fool, inside.” 

“ Lie down with God,” said the men ; “ all will be 
done OP thy word.” 

Next morning Ivan woke up, looked around. He 
was lying on a bark mat, covered with a ragged coat, 
and not a sign of his castle. He began to cry bit- 
terly, and went to the Tsar, his father-in-law. He 
came to the palace, asked to announce to the Tsar 
that his son-in-law had come. When the Tsar saw 
him he said : “ Oh, thou this and that kind of 
breechesless fellow, what son-in-law art thou to me? 
My sons-in-law live in golden chambers and ride in 
silver carriages. Take him and wall him up in a 
stone pillar.” 


The Ring with Twelve Screws, 145 


It was commanded and done. They took Ivan and 
walled him up in a stone pillar. But the cat and 
the dog did not leave him, they were there too, 
and dug out a hole for themselves ; through the hole 
they gave food to Ivan. But one time they thought : 
“ Why do we sit here, dog and cat, with folded hands? 
Let 's run beyond the sea and get the ring.” 

As they decided to do that, they did it. They 
swam through the sea, found their castle. The 
Tsarevna was walking in the garden with the servant, 
laughing at her husband. 

“ Well, do thou remain here a while, and I ’ll go to 
the chamber and get the ring,” said the cat ; and she 
went her way, mi-au, mi-au, under the door. The 
Tsarevna heard her, and said : “ Ah, here is that 
scoundrel’s cat; let her in and feed her.” They 
let her in and fed her. The cat walked through 
the chambers all the time and looked for the ring. 
She saw on the stove a glass box, and in the box 
the ring. 

The cat was delighted. “ Glory be to God ! ” 
thought she. “ Now only wait for night ; I ’ll get the 
ring, and then for home ! ” 

When all had lain down, the cat sprang on to the 
stove and threw down the glass box; it fell, and was 
broken. She caught the ring in her mouth and hid 
under the door. All in the house were roused ; the 
Tsarevna herself got up, and saw that the box was 
broken. 

10 


146 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


“ Oh ! ” said she, “ it must be the cat of that 
scoundrel broke it. Drive her out ; drive her out ! ” 

They chased out the cat, and she was glad ; she ran 
to the dog. 

“ Well, brother dog,” said she, ‘‘ I have the ring. 
Now if we could only get home quickly ! ” 

They swam through the sea, were a long time 
swimming. When the dog was tired, he sat on the 
cat ; when the cat was tired, she sat on the dog ; and 
so they worked on and it was not far from land. But 
the dog was growing weak. The cat saw this, and 
said, “ Sit thou on me ; thou art tired.” The minute 
she said this the ring fell out of her mouth into the 
water. What was to be done ? They swam to shore 
and wept tears. Meanwhile they grew hungry. The 
dog ran through the field and caught sparrows for 
himself, and the cat ran along the shore catching 
little fish thrown up by the waves; that was how 
she fed herself. 

But all at once the cat cried out : Oh, thou dog, 
come here quickly to me ; I have found the ring ! I 
caught a fish, began to eat it, and in the fish was the 
ring.” 

Now they were both powerfully glad ; they ran to 
Ivan and brought him the ring. 

Ivan waited till evening, unscrewed all the twelve 
screws, and twelve thousand men stood before him. 

“ Thou art our master, we are thy men : tell us to 
do what thy soul desires.” 







•ir-)P>ue>C^ 

ax>iY- 




THEY SWAM TH HOUGH THE SEA, WERE A LONG TIME 
SMTMMING. Page I46. 




The Ring with Twelve Screws, 


“ Break in a minute this stone pillar so that dust 
from it shall not remain; and from beyond the sea 
bring hither my castle with all who are in it, and 
every one as sleeping now, and put it in the old 
place/’ 

Straightway all this was done. In the morning 
Ivan went to his father-in-law. The Tsar met him, 
seated him in the first place, and said : “ Where hast 
thou been pleased to pass thy time, my dear son- 
in-law ? ” 

“ I was beyond the sea,” said Ivan. 

“That’s it,” said the Tsar, “ beyond the sea. ’T is 
clear that thou hadst pressing business, for thou didst 
not come to take farewell of thy father-in-law. But 
while thou wert gone, some sort of bare-legged fellow 
came to me and called himself my son-in-law. I 
gave command to wall him up in a stone pillar; he 
has perished there, doubtless. Well, beloved son-in- 
law, where hast thou been pleased to spend thy time ; 
what sights hast thou seen ? ” 

“ I have seen,” said Ivan, “ various sights ; and 
beyond the sea there was an affair of such kind that 
no man knew how to settle it.” 

“ What was the affair? ” 

“ Well, this is the kind of affair it was ; and if thou 
art a wise man, decide it according to thy wisdom of 
Tsar : A husband had a wife, and while he was liv- 
ing she found a sweetheart for herself; she robbed 
her husband, and went away with the sweetheart 


148 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


beyond the sea; and now she is with that man. 
What, to thy thinking, should be done with that 
wife ? ” 

“ According to my wisdom of Tsar I will utter the 
following sentence : Tie them both to the tails of 
horses, and let the horses loose in the open field, — 
let that be their punishment.” 

“ If that is thy judgment, very well,” said Ivan. 
“ Come with me as a guest; I will show thee other 
sights and another wonder.” 

They went to Ivan’s castle, and found there the 
Tsar’s daughter and the servant. As Ivan had com- 
manded, they were still asleep. 

There was no help for it ; according to the word of 
the Tsar they tied them both to the tails of horses 
and urged the horses into the open field, — that was 
their punishment. But Ivan afterwards married 
that beautiful, most beautiful maiden whom he had 
saved from the fire, and they began to live and win 
wealth. 


THE FOOTLESS AND THE BLIND. 


I N a certain kingdom, in a certain state, lived a 
terrible Tsar. He was famed through all lands, 
— a terror to kings and princes. The Tsar took a 
thought to marry, and published an order in every 
town and village that whoever would find him a 
bride ruddier than the sun, fairer than the moon, and 
whiter than snow, would be rewarded with countless 
wealth. Thq report of this went through the whole 
kingdom ; and from small to great, all were talking 
and thinking, but no one offered to find such a 
beauty. 

Not far from the king’s castle was a large brewery. 
The working-men came together for some reason, 
and began to say that a man might get much money 
from the Tsar, but where could such a bride be 
found? 

“ Well, brothers,” said a man, Nikita Koltoma by 
name, “ no one can find a bride for the Tsar without 
my help ; but if I undertake it, then he will find her 
without fail.” 

“ What art thou boasting of, thou fool ? How 
couldst thou do that deed? There are famous and 
rich people, not the like of us, and they are afraid. 


150 Wonder-Tales from Ritssia, 

Thou couldst not do it in a dream, much less in thy 
senses.” 

“ Well, say what ye please ; but I have faith in 
myself,” said he, “ and I ’ll get her.” 

“Ah, Nikita, don’t boast; thou knowest our Tsar 
is terrible, and for an empty boast he will put thee 
to death.” 

“ He won’t put me to death ; he will reward me 
with money.” 

They reported these speeches to the Tsar himself. 
He was delighted, and gave command to bring Nikita 
before his bright eyes. The soldiers ran, seized 
Nikita Koltoma, and hurried him to the palace. His 
comrades called after him : “Well, brother, thou 
hast said it; thou thinkest to joke with the Tsar: go 
now and give answer.” 

They brought Nikita to the great palace, and the 
terrible Tsar said to him : “ Thou, Nikita, dost boast 
that thou art able to find me a bride ruddier than 
the sun, fairer than the moon, and whiter than 
snow.” 

“ I can, your Majesty.” 

“ Very well, brother. If thou wilt do me that ser- 
vice, I will reward thee with countless treasure and 
make thee first minister ; but if thou hast lied, I have 
a sword, and thy head leaves thy shoulders.” 

“ I am glad to serve thee. Great Tsar ; but com- 
mand that I have a holiday for a whole month.” 

The Tsar consented, and gave over his own signa- 


The Footless and the Blind. 15 1 

ture an open order to Nikita, commanding that in 
all eating-houses and inns they should give him 
gratis all kinds of food and drink. 

Nikita went through the capital to enjoy himself. 
Whatever inn he entered, he showed the paper; 
immediately they brought him everything that his 
soul desired. He caroused one day, a second, a 
third ; a week, a second, a third week. And now the 
term is passed ; 't is time to go to the Tsar. 

Nikita took farewell of his friends, went to the 
palace, and asked the Tsar to collect for him twelve 
brave youths, the same in stature, in hair, and in 
voice, and to prepare besides thirteen white woven 
tents with golden embroidery. Everything was soon 
ready; the young men were collected at once, and 
the tents made. 

Now, Great Tsar,” said Nikita, “ get ready, and 
we will go for the bride.” 

They saddled their good steeds, packed the tents 
on the horses. After that they had a prayer in the 
church, took leave of the people of the town, sat on 
their steeds, and galloped away ; nothing but a pillar 
of dust behind them. They travelled one day, a 
second, and a third. In the open field was a forge. 
Said Nikita : “Go straight ahead with God, and I 
will run into the forge and smoke a pipe.” He en- 
tered the forge; fifteen blacksmiths were forging 
iron inside, striking with their hammers. 

“ God aid you, brothers ! ” 


152 


Wonder-Tales from Russia , . 


“ God save thee, good man ! ” 

‘‘ Make me a staff fifteen poods ^ weight.” 

“ To make it we are not unwilling ; but who will 
turn the iron? Fifteen poods are no joke.” 

“That is nothing, brothers; you beat with the 
hammers, and I ’ll turn the iron.” 

The blacksmiths went to work and forged an iron 
staff of fifteen poods. Nikita took the rod, went out 
into the field, and threw it up ninety feet, held out 
his hand ; the iron staff fell on his hand, but was not 
equal to the strength of the hero, it broke in two. 
Nikita Koltoma paid the blacksmiths for their work, 
threw the broken rod to them, and rode away. He 
caught up with his comrades. They travelled three 
days more ; again there was a forge in the open field. 

“ Go on, I will enter this forge,” said Nikita. He 
went into the forge. Twenty-five blacksmiths were 
working inside, forging iron, pounding with their 
hammers. 

“ God aid thee, boys ! ” 

“ God save thee, good man ! ” 

“ Make me a staff twenty-five poods in weight.” 

“ To forge is no trouble ; but where is the man with 
strength to turn so much iron?” 

“ I will turn it myself.” 

He took the twenty-five poods weight of iron, 
heated it red hot, and turned it on the anvil while 
the blacksmiths pounded with their hammers. They 
^ One pood = 36 pounds. 


The Footless and the Blind. 


153 


made a staff twenty-five poods in weight. Nikita 
took that staff, went out into the open field, threw it 
up one hundred and fifty feet, and held out his hand : 
the staff struck the hero’s hand and broke in two. 

“No, this will not do,’’ said Nikita. He paid for 
the work, sat on his horse, and rode away. He over- 
took his comrades. They travelled a day, a second, 
and a third. Again there was a forge in the open field. 

“Go on,’’ said Nikita; “I will smoke a pipe in 
this forge.’’ 

He entered the forge, where fifty blacksmiths were 
tormenting an old man. A gray-haired old man was 
lying on the anvil ; ten men were holding him with 
pincers by the beard, and forty men were pounding 
him on the sides with hammers. 

“ Have pity on me, brothers ! ” cried the old man, 
with all his strength. “ Leave the life in me to do 
penance I ” 

“ God aid you ! ” said Nikita. 

“ God aid thee, good man ! ” said the blacksmiths. 

“ Why are ye tormenting the old man ? ” 

“ Because he owes each one of us a rouble, and he 
will not pay it. Why should n’t we beat him?” 

“ What an unfortunate man,” thought Nikita ; “ for 
fifty roubles he suffers such torment ! ” And he said 
to the blacksmiths : “ Listen, brothers : I ’ll pay you 
for him ; let the old man go.” 

“ Agreed, good man ; it is all the same to us from 
whom we get the money, so that we have it. 


154 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


Nikita took out fifty roubles. The blacksmiths 
took the money, and the moment they freed the old 
man out of the iron pincers, he vanished from the 
eye. Nikita looked. “ But where is the old man? ” 

“ Oh, look for him now; he is a wizard ! ” 

Nikita ordered them to forge an iron staff of fifty 
poods. He hurled it up three hundred feet, and 
held out his hand : the staff stood the test, did not 
break. “ This will do,” said Nikita, and rode off to 
overtake his comrades. All at once he heard a voice 
behind him. Nikita Koltoma stopped; he looked 
around, and saw the same old man running after him. 

“ Thanks to thee,” said the old man, “ for saving 
me from cruel torture; I suffered that misery for 
thirty years exactly. Here is a present to remember 
me by, — take it ; it will be of use to thee ; ” and he 
gave him a cap of invisibility. “ Just put it on thy 
head ; no man will see thee.” 

Nikita took the cap, thanked the old man, and 
galloped on. He overtook his comrades, and all 
rode together. Whether it was long or short, near 
or far, they came to a castle; around the castle was a 
great iron paling ; there was no way to enter, on foot 
or on horseback. The terrible Tsar said: “Well, 
brother Nikita, there is no passage farther.” 

Nikita Koltoma answered : “ Why not, Great Tsar? 
I ’ll go through the whole world but I ’ll find thee a 
bride. This paling is no stop to us. Now, boys, 
break the paling ; open the gate to the wide court ! ” 


The Footless and the Blind. 


^55 


The good youths came down from their horses 
and went at the paling ; but no matter what they did, 
they could not break it, it stood fast. 

“ Oh, brothers,” said Nikita, “ ye sail in shallow 
water! No use in my depending on you; I must 
work myself.” 

Nikita sprang from his horse, went to the paling, 
took it with his heroic hand, pulled once, — the whole 
paling was on the ground. The terrible Tsar and the 
young men rode in on the broad court, and there on 
the green meadow they put up their white woven, 
gold-embroidered tents, ate what God sent them, lay 
down, and from weariness slept a sound sleep. Each 
one had a tent, but there was none for Nikita Kol- 
toma; he found three worn bark mats, made himself 
a little hut, lay down on the bare ground. As to 
sleeping, he slept not ; he waited for what would be. 

At the morning dawn Yelena the Beautiful woke 
up in her chamber, looked out through her lattice- 
window, and saw that thirteen white woven tents 
were standing on her green meadow, and in front of 
all a small hut of bark rugs. 

“What is this?” thought the Tsarevna; “whence 
have these guests come? See, the iron paling is 
broken I ” 

Yelena the Beautiful was terribly enraged; she 
called her powerful, mighty hero, and said : “ To 
horse this minute ! Ride to the tents and give all 
those disobedient scoundrels to a cruel death ; throw 


156 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


their bodies over the fence, and bring the tents to 
me.” 

The powerful, mighty hero saddled his good steed, 
put on his battle-armor, and went toward the un- 
bidden guests. Nikita Koltoma saw him. “ Who 
goes ? ” asked he. 

“And who art thou, rude fellow, that askest? ” 

These words did not please Nikita. He sprang 
out of his hut, caught the hero by the foot, dragged 
him from the horse to the damp earth, raised his iron 
staff of fifty poods, gave him one blow, and said: 
“ Go now to thy Tsarevna, tell her to stop her pride, 
not to waste her men, but to marry our terrible 
Tsar.” 

The hero galloped back, glad that Nikita had left 
him alive, came to the castle, and said to the Tsa- 
revna: “Men of immeasurable strength have come 
to our place. They ask thee for their terrible Tsar 
in marriage, and commanded me to tell thee to put 
an end to thy pride, not to waste thy army in vain, 
and to marry their Tsar.” 

When Yelena the Beautiful heard such bold 
speeches she was roused. She summoned her great, 
mighty heroes, and began to command them all: 
“ My trusty servants, assemble a countless army, take 
down these white tents, kill these unbidden guests, 
that the dust of them be not here.” 

The great, mighty heroes did not stop long. They 
collected a countless army, sat on their heroic steeds, 


The Footless and the Blind, 


157 


and bore down on the white woven, gold-embroidered 
tents. 

As soon as they came to the bark hut, Nikita 
Koltoma sprang out before them, took his iron staff 
of fifty poods, and began to wave it at them in 
different directions. In a little while he had killed 
the whole army, and of the great, mighty heroes he 
left but one alive. “ Go,” said he, “ to thy Tsarevna, 
Yelena the Beautiful, and tell her not to waste her 
army further. She cannot frighten us with armies. 
Now I have fought with you alone ; what will happen 
to your kingdom when my comrades wake? We will 
not leave a stone upon a stone ; we will scatter every- 
thing over the open field.” 

The hero returned to the Tsarevna and said : Thy 
whole army is slain; against such champions no 
power can avail.” Yelena the Beautiful sent to invite 
the terrible Tsar to the castle, and then ordered that 
the sharp arrow be ready; went herself to meet the 
guests with grace, with honor. The Tsarevna moves 
on to meet them, and behind her fifty men are 
bearing the bow and the arrow. Nikita Koltoma 
saw that that was a hero’s bow, and knew at once 
that it was intended to treat them to the arrow. 
He put on the cap of invisibility, drew the bow, 
and aimed the arrow at the Tsarevna’s chamber. In 
one moment he knocked off the whole top of her 
castle. 

There was no help for her now, Yelena the Beau- 


158 Wonder-Tales from Russia, 

tiful took the terrible Tsar by the hand, led him to 
the white-walled chambers, seated him and his men 
at the oaken tables with the spread cloths. They 
began to drink, to eat and rejoice. In the chambers 
were wonderful ornaments; the whole world might 
be searched, and the like wouldst thou find nowhere. 

After dinner Nikita said to the terrible Tsar: 
‘‘Does the young woman please thee, or shall we 
go for another?” 

“ No, Nikita, there is no use in travelling for noth- 
ing; there is not a better than this in the whole 
world.” 

“ Well, then, marry now she is in our hands. But 
look out. Great Tsar, don’t be caught napping. 
The first three nights she will try thy strength ; she 
will put her hand on thee and press mightily, might- 
ily : thou canst not endure it in any way. At these 
times hurry out of the chamber ; I ’ll take thy place 
and soon tame her.” 

They set about the wedding, and Tsars have not 
to make mead or wine ; all was on hand. They had 
the wedding, and the terrible Tsar went to the cham- 
ber of Yelena the Beautiful. He reclined on a 
couch. 

Yelena put her hand on his breast and asked : “ Is 
my hand heavy? ” 

“ It is as heavy as a feather on water,” answered 
the terrible Tsar ; but he could barely draw breath, 
so had she pressed his breast. “Wait, I have for- 


The Footless and the Blind. 


159 


gotten to give an order ; I must give it now.” He 
left the chamber. 

Nikita was standing at the door outside. “ Well, 
brother, thou didst speak truly; she came very near 
putting the breath out of me.” 

“ Never mind, I ’ll settle the matter; stay here.” 

Nikita entered the dark chamber, lay on the 
couch. Yelena thought the Tsar had returned. She 
put her hand on his breast, pressed and pressed; 
could do nothing. She put on both hands, and 
pressed more than before. Nikita Koltoma, like a 
man in sleep, caught her and hurled her to the floor, 
so that the whole castle shook. The Tsarevna got 
up, went quietly to her bed, and fell asleep. 

Now Nikita slipped out to the Tsar and said: 
‘‘ Go in boldly ; she will do nothing till to-morrow.” 

With Nikita’s aid the Tsar escaped the second and 
the third time, and then lived as was proper with 
Yelena the Beautiful. Neither a long nor a short 
time passed, but Yelena the Beautiful discovered that 
the terrible Tsar had deceived her, that his strength 
was not great, that people were laughing at her, 
that Nikita was the man who had conquered her. 
She was in a terrible rage, and hid in her heart a 
cruel revenge. 

The Tsar had in mind to go to his own kingdom, 
and said : ** We have stayed here long enough ; it is 
time to go home. Make ready for the road.” 

They prepared to go by the sea, and had a ship 


i6o 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


laden with various precious things. They went on 
board, and sailed out on the sea; sailed one day, 
sailed a second, then a third. The Tsar was de- 
lighted ; he could not rejoice sufficiently that he was 
taking home a Tsaritsa ruddier than the sun, fairer 
than the moon, whiter than snow. But Yelena the 
Beautiful was thinking her own thought, — thinking 
how to pay for the insult. 

At that time an heroic slumber overcame Nikita, 
and he slept for twelve whole days and nights. When 
the Tsaritsa saw Nikita in this sleep, she summoned 
her trusty servants, commanded them to cut off his 
legs to the knee, put him in a boat, and push him 
out into the sea. Before her eyes they cut off the legs 
of the sleeping Nikita, put him in a boat, and pushed 
him out to sea. 

On the thirteenth day poor Nikita woke. He 
looked around, — water everywhere; he was lying 
without feet, and no trace of the ship. 

Meanwhile the ship sailed on, sailed on. At last the 
harbor was before them. The cannon thundered, the 
people ran together. The merchants and boyars met 
the Tsar with bread and salt, and congratulated him 
on his marriage. The Tsar called guests, gave feasts, 
and forgot to think of Nikita. Little time had he left 
to rejoice. Yelena the Beautiful soon seized his king- 
dom, took the management of all to herself, and forced 
him to herd pigs. The wrath of the Tsaritsa was not 
allayed with this ; she gave command to make search 


The Footless and the Blind, 


i6i 


on every side for relatives of Nikita Koltoma, and if 
any were found to bring them to the palace. 

Messengers galloped and searched everywhere. 
They found a brother of Nikita, — Timofei Koltoma ; 
they brought him to the palace. Yelena the Beautiful 
gave command to take out his eyes and drive him 
from the town, 

When they had blinded Timofei they led him out- 
side the town and left him in the open field. The 
blind man dragged along, found his way by feeling; 
he went and went, till he came to the sea-shore, 
advanced a step or two, and felt water under his feet. 
He halted, stood on one spot, moved neither back- 
ward nor forward ; he was afraid to go. All at once 
the boat with Nikita was borne toward the shore. 
Nikita saw a man, was rejoiced, and called to him : 
** Ei ! good man ; help me to land.” 

The blind man answered : “ Gladly would I help 
thee, but I cannot. I am without eyes; I see 
nothing.” 

** But whence art thou, and what is thy name ? ” 

“ I am Timof6i Koltoma. The new Tsaritsa, Yelena 
the Beautiful, had my eyes put out, and drove me 
from her kingdom.” 

“ Ah ! but thou art my own brother ; I am Nikita 
Koltoma. Go thou, Timofei, to the right side, — 
there a tall oak is growing ; pull out the oak, bring 
it here, and throw it from the shore into the water. 
I will creep out upon it to thee.” 


II 


i 62 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


Timofei turned to the right, stepped forward, and 
found the tall old oak, seized it with both hands, 
pulled it out by the roots, drew the oak, and threw 
it into the water. The tree lay with one end on land, 
the other came down near the boat. Nikita crept 
out on shore somehow, kissed his brother, and said : 
“ How is our terrible Tsar living now? ” 

“ Oh, brother,” answered Timofei, “ our terrible 
Tsar is now in great straits, — he is herding pigs in 
the field ! Every morning he gets a pound of bread, 
a jug of water, and three rods on his back.” 

Then they talked about how they were to live and 
how to support themselves. Said Nikita: “Hear, 
brother, my advice: thou wilt carry me, because I 
am footless, and I will sit on thee and tell thee where 
to go.” 

“Agreed; be it as thou sayest. Though we are 
both maimed, we shall serve for one sound man.” 

So Nikita sat on his brother’s shoulders and showed 
him the way. Timofei walked and walked, and came 
into a slumbering forest. In that forest stood the 
cabin of Baba-Yaga. The brothers entered the 
cabin ; there was not a soul inside. 

“Well, brother,” said Nikita, “feel in the oven. 
Is n’t there some food ? ” 

Timof<6i crawled to the oven, took out every kind 
of food, put it on the table, and they both began to 
put the food away ; from hunger they ate everything 
clean. Then Nikita began to examine the cabin. He 


The Footless and the Blind ^ 163 


saw on the window a small whistle, placed it to his 
lips and began to whistle. He looks — what sort of 
wonder! His blind brother is dancing, the cabin is 
dancing, the table, the dishes are dancing, every- 
thing dancing ; the pots were broken into bits. 

“ Enough, Nikita, stop playing,” begged the blind 
man ; “ my strength can hold out no longer.” 

Nikita stopped whistling, and that moment every- 
thing was silent. All at once the door opened, in 
walked Baba-Yaga, and she screamed with a loud 
voice : ** Oh, homeless vagrants, to this minute not 
a bird has flown past, nor a beast run by here ; and 
ye have come, devoured my food, broken my pots ! 
Very good ; I ’ll settle with you I ” 

“ Silence, old carrion I We shall be able to settle 
with thee ourselves. Here, brother Timofei, hold the 
old witch firmly ! ” 

Timofei caught the Baba-Yaga in his arms, squeezed 
her hard, hard; but Nikita seized her that moment 
by the hair and dragged her through the cabin. 

“ Oh, fathers,” begged Baba-Yaga, “ I ’ll be of 
use to you myself ; whatever ye want I ’ll get you ! ” 

“ Well, then, old woman, speak. Canst thou get us 
healing and living water? If thou gettest it. I’ll let 
thee go alive into the white world ; if not, then I ’ll 
give thee to a cruel death.” 

Baba-Yaga agreed, and led them to two springs. 
** Here are for you the healing and living water.” 

Nikita Koltoma took the healing water, poured it 


164 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


on himself, and his legs grew out. They were quite 
healthy, but would n’t move. He took living water, 
moistened his legs, and began to use them. The 
same happened to Timofei Koltoma: he washed the 
hollows of his eyes with healing water, eyes came in 
his head just as if they had never been injured, but 
saw nothing ; he washed them with the living water, 
and they began to see better than ever. 

The brothers thanked the old woman, let her go 
home, and went to liberate the terrible Tsar from suf- 
fering and misfortune. They came to the capital 
town and saw that the Tsar was herding pigs in 
front of the castle. Nikita Koltoma began to blow 
on the whistle, and the herdsman with the pigs fell 
to dancing. Yelena the Beautiful saw this from the 
window; she was furious, and gave command to 
take a bunch of rods and flog the pigherd and the 
musicians. 

The guard ran out, seized them, brought them to 
the castle to treat them to rods. When Nikita Kol- 
toma came to Yelena the Beautiful he made no delay, 
but seized her white hands and said : “ Dost know 
me, Yelena the Beautiful? I am Nikita Koltoma. 
Well, terrible Tsar, she is in thy power ; what thou 
wishest, that do.” 

The Tsar gave command to shoot her, and he 
made Nikita his first minister; he honored him 
always, and obeyed him in all things. 


KOSHCHEI WITHOUT-DEATH. 


'"T^HERE was a Tsar who had one son, and when 
the Tsarevich was an infant his nurses and 
maids used to sing to him, “ Baiyu, baiyu, Ivan Tsare- 
vich ; when thou ’It grow up a man thou ’It find thee 
a bride in the thirtieth kingdom, beyond the thrice 
ninth land, Vassilissa Kirbityevna, and her marrow 
flows from bone to bone.” 

Fifteen years had passed for the Tsarevich, and he 
went to ask leave to search for his bride. “ Where 
wilt thou go?” asked his father. ‘^Thou art still too 
small.” 

“No, father; when I was small the nurses and 
maids sang to me, and told where my bride lives ; and 
now I am going to find her.” 

The Tsar gave his blessing and sent word to all 
kingdoms that his son, Ivan Tsarevich, was going for 
his bride. 

Well, the Tsarevich came to a town, gave his horse 
to be cared for, and went himself to walk along the 
streets. He walked, and saw that on the square they 
were punishing a man with a whip. “ Why,” asked 
he, “ do ye flog him? ” 

“ Because,” answered they, “ he went in debt ten 
thousand to an eminent merchant, and did not pay 


1 66 Wonder-Tales from Russia, 

in season. And whoso redeems him, that man's wife 
Koshchei Without-Death will bear away.” 

Now the Tsarevich thought and thought, and then 
went off. As he was walking through the town he 
came out again on the square, and they were still 
beating that man. Ivan Tsarevich pitied him and 
resolved to redeem him. 

“ I have no wife,” thought Ivan ; “ there is no one 
to take from me.” He paid the ten thousand and 
went to his lodgings. 

All at once the man whom he had redeemed ran 
after him and called: “God save thee, Ivan Tsa- 
revich ! If thou hadst not redeemed me, thou 
couldest not have gained thy bride in a lifetime; 
but now I will help thee. Buy me a horse and 
saddle straightway.” 

The Tsarevich bought him a horse and saddle, and 
asked : “ What is thy name ? ” 

“ They call me Bulat the hero.” 

They sat on the horses, went their way and road. 
When they came to the thirtieth kingdom, Bulat 
said: “ Well, Ivan Tsarevich, give orders to buy and 
roast chickens, ducks, and geese, so that there may be 
plenty of everything, and I will go to get thy bride. 
And see to it : every time I run to thee, cut the right 
wing of a bird, and hand it to me on a plate.” 

Bulat the hero went to the lofty tower where Vas- 
silissa Kirbftyevna was sitting, threw a stone lightly, 
and broke the summit of the gilded tower. He ran 


Koshchei Without-Death. 


167 


to the Tsarevich and said to him : “ What, art thou 
sleeping? Give me a hen.” 

Ivan Tsarevich cut off the right wing and gave it 
on a plate. Bulat took the plate, ran to the tower, 
and cried out: Hail, Vassilissa Kirbftyevna! Ivan 
Tsarevich gave command to bow to thee, and asked 
me to give thee this hen.” 

Vassilissa was frightened, and sat in silence. Bulat 
gave answer to himself instead of her : Hail, Bulat 
the hero ! Is Ivan Tsarevich in good health ? 

‘‘ Glory be to God, in good health. 

“But why stand there, Bulat the hero? Take the 
key, open the cupboard, drink a glass of vodka^ and 
go with God.” 

Bulat the hero ran to Ivan Tsarevich and said: 
“Art sitting here? Give me a duck.” 

He cut off the wing, and gave it on a plate. 

Bulat bore it to the tower and said : “ Hail, Vassi- 
lissa Kirbftyevna ! Ivan Tsarevich gave command to 
bow to thee, and sent thee this duck.” 

She sat there, said nothing; but he answered 
instead of her: “Hail, Bulat the hero! Is Ivan 
Tsarevich well? 

“ Glory be to God, he is well. 

“But why stand there, Bulat the hero? Take the 
key, open the cupboard, drink a glass, and go with 
God” 

Bulat ran again to Ivan Tsarevich. “Art thou 
sitting here ? Give me a goose.” 


1 68 Wonder-Tales from Russia. 

Ivan cut off the right wing and gave it on a plate. 
Bulat the hero bore it to the tower. ** Hail, Vassi- 
lissa Kirbftyevna ! Ivan Tsarevich gave command to 
bow to thee, and sent thee this goose.” 

Vassilissa Kirbftyevna took the key quickly, 
opened the cupboard, and reached a glass of vodka, 
Bulat the hero took not the glass, but seized the 
maiden by the right hand, drew her out of the 
tower, and seated her on the Tsarevich’s steed. They 
galloped away, the good hero and the beautiful soul- 
maiden, with all horse-speed. 

Next morning Tsar Kirbft woke and rose. He saw 
that the top of the tower was broken and his daughter 
stolen ; he grew powerfully angry, and gave command 
to pursue over all roads and ways. 

Whether our heroes travelled much or little, Bulat 
took the ring from his hand, hid it, and said : “ Go 
on, Ivan Tsarevich ; but I will turn back and look for 
my ring.” 

Vassilissa Kirbftyevna began to implore : Do not 
leave us, Bulat the hero ; if it please thee, thou shalt 
have my ring.” 

“Impossible, Vassilissa Kirbftyevna; my ring was 
priceless. My own mother gave it me, and when 
giving, she said: “Wear and lose it not; forget not 
thy mother.” 

Bulat the hero galloped back and met the pursuers 
on the road. He slew them all straightway, left but 
one man to take news to the Tsar, hurried back, and 
caught up with the Tsarevich. 


Koshchei Without -Death. 


169 


Whether they went much or little, Bulat hid his 
handkerchief and said : “ Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, I have 
lost my handkerchief! Ride on thy road and way; 
I will soon come up with thee.” 

He turned back, went some versts, and met pur- 
surers twice as many ; he slew them all, and returned 
to Ivan, who asked : “ Hast found the handkerchief? ” 

“ I have found it.” 

Dark night overtook them. They pitched a tent ; 
Bulat laydown to sleep, left Ivan Tsarevich on guard, 
and said to him: “If need be, rouse me.” 

Ivan Tsarevich stood and stood, grew tired ; sleep 
began to bend him ; he sat down at the tent and fell 
asleep. 

From wherever he came, Koshchei Without-Death 
bore away Vassilissa Kirbityevna. Ivan Tsarevich 
woke up at dawn, saw that his bride was gone, and 
began to weep bitterly. Bulat the hero woke up and 
asked : “ Why art thou weeping? ” 

“ Why should I not weep ? Some one has borne 
away Vassilissa Kirbityevna.” 

“ I told thee to keep watch. That is the work of 
Koshchei Without-Death. Let us set out in search 
of her.” 

Long and long did they ride, till they saw two 
shepherds herding a flock. “ Whose herd is that?” 

The herdsmen answered: “This is the herd of 
Koshchei Without-Death.” 

Bulat and Ivan Tsarevich asked the herdsmen if 


170 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


Koshch6i Without-Death lived far from there, how 
to go to his house, what time they went home with 
the flock, and how they shut it in. Then they came 
down from their horses, wrung the necks of the shep- 
herds, dressed themselves in their clothes, drove the 
herd home, and stood at the gate. 

Ivan Tsarevich had a gold ring on one of his 
fingers, Vassilissa had given it to him. Vassilissa 
had a goat, and she washed herself morning and 
evening with the milk of that goat.- The maid ran 
with a vessel, milked the goat, and was carrying the 
milk. Bulat took the Tsarevich’s ring and threw it 
into the vessel. 

“ Oh, my dove,” said the maid, “ thou art getting 
impudent ! ” She came to Vassilissa Kirbftyevna and 
complained. “ Now,” said she, “ the herdsmen have 
begun to make sport of us, — they threw a ring into 
the milk.” 

“ Leave the milk ; I will strain it myself,” said 
Vassilissa. She strained the milk, saw the ring, and 
gave command to send the herdsmen to her. The 
herdsmen came. 

“ Hail, Vassilissa Kirbftyevna ! ” said Bulat the 
hero. 

“ Hail, Bulat the hero ! Be well, Tsarevich ! How 
did God bring you? ” 

We came for thee, Vassilissa Kirbftyevna ; thou 
wilt hide from us nowhere. We should find thee even 
on the bottom of the sea.” 


KoshchU Without -Death, 


171 

She seated them at the table, gave them every 
sort of food and all kinds of wine. 

Said Bulat the hero : “ When Koshchei comes 
home from hunting, ask him, Vassilissa Kirbityevna, 
where his death is. And now it would not be amiss 
for us to hide.” 

As soon as the guests had hidden, Koshchei 
Without-Death was flying home from the hunt. 

Tfu-tfu ! ” said he ; of old there was n’t a sign of 
Russia to be heard with hearing or seen with sight ; 
but now Russia runs into one’s eyes and mouth.” 

Said Vassilissa : “ Thou hast been flying through 
Russia thyself, and art full of its odor; so to thy 
thinking dost find it here.” 

Koshchdi ate his dinner and lay down to rest. 
Vassilissa came to him, threw herself on his neck, 
fondled him, and kissed him, saying : “ My dear love, 
hardly was I able to wait for thee. I did not expect 
to see thee alive; I feared that savage beasts had 
devoured thee.” 

Koshchei laughed aloud. ” Simple woman ! her 
hair is long, but her wit is short Could savage beasts 
eat me ? ” 

** But where is thy death, then ? ” 

“ My death is in the broom which lies around at 
the threshold.” 

As soon as Koshchei had flown away, Vassilissa 
Kirbftyevna ran to Ivan Tsarevich. 

Bulat asked: “ Well, where is Koshchei’s death?” 


172 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


“ In a broom thrown around at the threshold.’* 

No, he lies with design ; thou must ask him more 
cunningly.” 

Vassilissa Kirbftyevna formed a plan. She took 
the broom, gilded it, adorned it with various ribbons, 
and placed it on the table. When Koshchei Without- 
Death flew, home, he saw the broom on the table, and 
asked why that was done. 

“ How was it possible,” answered Vassilissa Kir- 
bftyevna, that thy death should roll around at the 
threshold? Better let it lie on the table.” 

“ Ha, ha, ha ! The woman is simple ; her hair is 
long, but her wit is short ! Could my death be here ? ” 
Where is it, then?” 

“ My death is hidden in the goat.” 

As soon as Koshchei went off to the hunt, Vassi- 
lissa Kirbftyevna took the goat and adorned it with 
ribbons and bells, and gilded its horns. Koshch6i 
saw the goat; again he laughed. “ Oh, the woman 
is simple ; her hair is long, but her wit is short ! ” 

“ My death is far from here. On the sea, on the 
ocean, is an island; on that island stands an oak; 
under the oak is buried a chest; in the chest is a 
hare, in the hare a duck, in the duck an egg, and in 
the egg my death,” said he, and flew away. 

Vassilissa Kirbftyevna told all this to Ivan Tsare- 
vich. They took supplies and went to find Kosh- 
chei’s death. Whether they travelled long or short, 
they ate all their provisions and began to be hungry. 


Koshchei Without -Death. 


173 


A dog with her whelps happened in their way, ** I 
will kill her,” said Bulat the hero ; “ there is nothing 
else to eat.” 

“ Do not kill me,” said the dog, “ do not make my 
children orphans, and I will serve thee myself.” 

“ Well, God be with thee.” 

They went farther. On an oak was an eagle with 
eaglets. Said Bulat the hero : “ I will kill the eagle.” 

“ Kill me not,” said the eagle, “ make not my 
children orphans ; I will serve thee myself.” 

“ Let it be so ; live to thy health.” 

They came to the ocean sea wide; on the shore 
a lobster was crawling. Said Bulat the hero : “ I will 
kill it with a blow.” 

“ Strike me not, good hero ; there is not much 
good in me. Wilt eat me, thou ’It not be satisfied. 
The time will come when I will serve thee myself.” 

“ Well, crawl off with God,” said Bulat the hero. 
He looked on the sea, saw a fisherman in a boat, and 
shouted, “ Come to shore.” The fisherman brought 
the boat. Ivan Tsarevich and Bulat the hero sat in 
it and went to the island ; they landed, and came to 
the oak. Bulat the hero caught the oak with his 
mighty hands and tore it out with the roots. They 
took the chest from under the oak, opened it; out of 
the chest sprang a hare, and ran with all its breath. 

** Ah ! ” said Ivan Tsarevich, if the dog were here 
now, she would catch the hare.” 

Behold, the dog is bringing the hare. Bulat the 


174 


IVonder^ Tales from Russia, 


hero tore it open ; out of the hare flew the duck and 
rose high in the air. 

“ Ah ! ” said Ivan Tsarevich, ** if the eagle were 
here, she would catch the duck.” And already the 
eagle was bringing the duck. 

Bulat the hero tore open the duck ; an egg rolled 
out and fell into the sea. 

** Ah ! ” said Ivan Tsarevich, ‘‘ if the lobster would 
pull it out.” The lobster was crawling and bringing 
the egg. They took the egg, went to Koshchei 
Without-Death, struck him with the egg on the fore- 
head ; that moment he stretched out and died. 

Ivan Tsarevich took Vassilissa Kirbftyevna, and 
they went their way. They travelled and travelled ; 
dark night overtook them; they pitched their tent. 
Vassilissa Kirbftyevna lay down to rest. Said Bulat 
the hero, Lie down too, Tsarevich, and I will stand 
guard.” 

At dark midnight twelve doves appeared, struck 
wing against wing, and became maidens. 

Well, Bulat the hero and Ivan Tsarevich, ye 
killed our brother, Koshchei Without-Death, ye car- 
ried away our sister-in-law, Vassilissa Kirbftyevna; 
but no good will come to you either. When Ivan 
Tsarevich comes home, he will give command to 
bring out his favorite dog, the dog will break away 
from the keeper and tear the Tsarevich into small 
pieces ; but whoso hears this and tells Ivan what we 
have said will become stone to the knees.” 


Koshchei Without- Death, 


175 


In the morning Bulat the hero roused the Tsarevich 
and Vassilissa Kirbftyevna; they made ready and 
went their road and way. A second night overtook 
them; they pitched their tent in the open field. 
Again Bulat said : Lie down to sleep, Ivan Tsare- 
vich; I will stand guard.” In the dark midnight 
twelve doves came flying, they struck wing against 
wing, and became maidens. 

Well, Bulat and Ivan Tsarevich, ye killed our 
brother, Koshchei Without-Death, ye carried away 
our sister-in-law; but no good will come to you, for 
when Ivan Tsarevich comes home he will give com- 
mand to bring out his favorite horse, on which he 
has ridden since childhood. The horse will tear 
away from the groom and beat the Tsarevich to 
death ; and whoso hears this and tells him will become 
stone to the girdle.” 

Morning came, again they travelled on. A third 
night overtook them. They pitched their tent and 
stopped in the open field. Bulat said : “ Lie down 
to sleep, Ivan Tsarevich ; I will stand watch.” Again 
at midnight twelve doves came flying, struck wing 
against wing, and became maidens. 

“Well, Bulat and Ivan Tsarevich, ye killed our 
brother, Koshchei Without-Death, and carried away 
our sister-in-law; but no good will come to you. 
When Ivan Tsarevich comes home he will give com- 
mand to lead out his favorite cow, on whose milk he 
has been nourished since childhood. She will tear 


176 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


away from the herder and raise the Tsarevich on her 
horns. But whoso sees and hears us, and tells him 
this, will become altogether stone.” They finished 
the sentence, turned into doves, and flew home. 

In the morning Ivan Tsarevich and Vassilissa set 
out on the road. The Tsarevich came home, mar- 
ried Vassilissa Kirbftyevna; and in a day or two he 
said to her, I will show thee my favorite dog, with 
which I played all the time when I was little.” 

Bulat the hero took his sword, ground it sharp, 
sharp, and stood at the porch. They were bringing the 
dog. It tore away from the keeper and ran straight 
to the porch ; but Bulat drew his sword and cut the 
dog in two. Ivan Tsarevich was angry, but for 
Bulat's former service he was silent. 

The next day he ordered them to bring out his 
favorite horse. The horse broke his halter, tore 
away from the groom, and galloped straight at 
Ivan Tsarevich. Bulat the hero cut off the horse’s 
head. 

Ivan Tsarevich was still more in anger, and gave 
command to seize Bulat and hang him , but Vassilissa 
Kirbftyevna interceded. “ Had it not been for him,” 
said she, “ thou wouldst never have won me.” 

On the third day the Tsarevich gave command to 
lead out his favorite cow. She tore away from the 
herder and ran straight at the Tsarevich. Bulat cut 
off her head too. 

Now Ivan Tsarevich was so enraged that he would 


Koshchei Without- Death. 


177 


listen to no one, gave orders to call the headsman 
to put Bulat to death on the spot. 

“ Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, if ’t is thy wish to put me to 
death by the executioner, better let me die of my- 
self ; only let me speak three speeches.” 

Bulat told about the first night, how twelve doves 
flew to them in the open field, and what they said. 
That moment he was stone to the knees ; he told of 
the second night, and was stone to the girdle. Now 
Ivan Tsarevich begged him not to speak to the end. 
Bulat answered : “ ’T is all the same now, I am stone 
to the girdle ; it is not worth while to live.” He told 
of the third night, and was all stone. 

Ivan Tsarevich put him in a chamber apart, went 
there each day with Vassilissa, and wept bitterly. 

Years passed on. Once Ivan Tsarevich was weep- 
ing over the stone hero Bulat, and heard a voice 
coming out of the stone: “Why dost thou weep? 
It is hard for me even as I am.” 

“ Why should I not weep ? How can I help it ? 
Thou knowest I destroyed thee.” 

“ If thou wishest, thou canst save me. Thou hast 
two children, — a son and a daughter. Kill them, 
pour their blood into a vessel, and rub this stone with 
the blood.” 

Ivan Tsarevich told this to Vassilissa Kirbftyevna. 
They grieved and mourned ; decided to kill their 
children. They killed them, gathered the blood, and 
rubbed the stone. 


12 


178 


Wonder- Tales from Russia. 


When Bulat the hero came to life he asked the 
Tsarevich and his wife, “ Were ye grieved for the 
children? ” 

“ We were grieved, Bulat.” 

Well, let us go to their room.” 

They went, and behold, the children were alive ! 
The father and mother were delighted, and in their 
delight gave a feast to all. 


GO TO THE VERGE OF DESTRUCTION AND 
BRING BACK SHMAT-RAZUM. 


I N a certain kingdom there lived a wifeless, un- 
married king, who had a whole company of 
sharpshooters. They went to the forests, shot 
birds of passage, and furnished the king’s table with 
game. Among these sharpshooters was one named 
Fedot, who hit the mark and almost never missed; 
for this reason the king loved him beyond all his 
comrades. 

Once while shooting in the early morning, just at 
dawn, Fedot went into a dark, dense forest, and saw a 
blue dove sitting on a tree. He aimed, fired, struck 
her wing, and she fell to the damp earth. The sharp- 
shooter picked her up, was going to twist her neck 
and put her in his bag, when the blue dove spoke : 
“ Oh, brave youth, do not tear off my stormy little 
head, do not send me out of the white world ! Better 
take me alive, carry me home, put me on the window, 
and watch. As soon as sleep comes upon me strike 
me that moment with the back of thy right hand, and 
thou wilt gain great fortune.” 

Fedot marvelled. “What can it mean?” thought 
he ; “ in seeming a bird, but she speaks with a 


i8o 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


human voice. Never has such a thing happened to 
me before.” 

He brought the bird home, placed her on the win- 
dow, and stood waiting. After a short time the bird 
put her head under her wing and fell asleep. The 
sharpshooter struck her lightly with the back of his 
right hand. The blue dove fell to the floor, and 
became a soul-maiden so beautiful as not to be 
imagined nor described, but only told about in a 
tale. Such another beauty could not be found in 
the whole world. 

Said she to the young man, the king’s sharp- 
shooter: “Thou hast known how to get me; now 
know how to live with me. Thou wilt be my wedded 
husband, and I thy God-given wife. I am not a blue 
dove, but a king’s daughter.” 

They agreed. Fedot married her, and they lived 
together. He is happy with his young wife, but does 
not forget his service. Every morning at dawn he 
takes his gun, goes out into the forest, and shoots 
game, which he carries to the king’s kitchen. 

His wife sees that he is wearied from this hunting, 
and says : “ Listen, my dear. I am sorry for thee. 
Every God-given day thou dost wander through 
forests and swamps, comest home wet and worn, 
and profit to us not a whit. What sort of a life is 
this? But I know something so that thou wilt not 
be without gain. Get of roubles two hundred, and 
we will correct the whole business.” 


ShmaURazum. 


i8i 


Fedot rushed around to his friends, got a rouble 
from one, and two from another, till he had just two 
hundred. “ Now,” said his wife, “ buy different kinds 
of silk for this money.” 

He bought the silk; she took it, and said : ** Be not 
troubled ; pray to God and lie down to sleep : the 
morning is wiser than the evening.” 

He lay down and fell asleep ; his wife went out on 
the porch, opened her magic book, and two unknown 
youths appeared at once. “What dost thou wish? 
Command us.” 

“ Take this silk, and in one single hour make a 
piece of such wonderful tapestry as has not been seen 
in the world ; let the whole kingdom be embroidered 
on it, with towns, villages, rivers, and lakes.” 

They went to work, and not only in an hour, but in 
ten minutes they had the tapestry finished, — a won- 
der for all. They gave it to the sharpshooter’s wife, 
and vanished in an instant just as if they never had 
been. In the morning she gave the tapestry to her 
husband. “ Here,” said she, “ take this to the mer- 
chants’ rows, sell it, but see that thou ask no price of 
thy own; take what they give.” 

Fedot went to the merchants’ rows; a trader saw 
him, came up, and asked: “ Well, my good man, is 
this article for sale?” 

“ It is.” 

“ What ’s the price? ” 

“ Thou art a dealer, name the price.” 


i 82 


Wonder-Taks from Rmsia. 


The merchant thought and thought, but could not 
fix a price. Now a second, a third, and a fourth came ; 
no one could set a price on the tapestry. At this 
time the mayor of the palace was passing by and saw 
the crowd ; wishing to know what the merchants were 
talking about, he jumped out of his carriage, came 
up to them, and said : “ Good morning, merchants, 
dealers, guests from beyond the sea; what is the 
question?” 

“ Here is a piece of tapestry that we cannot value.” 

The mayor looked at the tapestry and marvelled 
himself. “ Look here, sharpshooter,” said he, “ tell 
me in truth and sincerity where didst thou get such 
glorious tapestry ? ” 

“ My wife made it.” 

“ How much must one give for it? ” 

I know not myself; my wife told me to set no 
price on it, but what people would give, that would 
be ours.” 

“ Well here are ten thousand for thee.” 

Fedot took the money and gave up the tapestry. 
The mayor was always near the person of the king, 
ate and drank at his table. When he went to the 
king’s to dine he took the tapestry. “ Would it not 
please your Majesty to see what a glorious piece of 
work I have bought to-day?” 

The king looked ; he saw his whole kingdom as if 
on the palm of his hand. He opened his mouth in 
amazement. 


Shmat-Razum- 


“ This is indeed work ; in all my life I have never 
seen such cunning art. Well, mayor, say what thou 
pleasest, but I shall not give this back to thee.” 
Straightway the king took twenty-five thousand out 
of his pocket, placed the money in the mayor’s hand, 
and hung the tapestry in the palace. 

“That 's nothing,” thought the mayor; “ I will order 
another still better.” Straightway he galloped to find 
the sharpshooter, found his cottage, went in ; and the 
moment he saw Fedot’s wife he forgot himself, his 
errand, knew not why he had come. Before him was 
such a beauty that he would not take his eyes off her 
all his life; he would have looked and looked. He 
gazes on another man’s wife, and in his head thought 
follows thought : “ Where has it been seen, where 
heard of, that a simple soldier possessed such a treas- 
ure? Though I serve the king’s person and rank as 
a general I have never beheld such beauty ! ” 

The mayor came to his mind with difficulty, and 
went home, gainst his will. From that hour, from 
that time, he was not his own. Sleeping or wak- 
ing, he thought only of the beautiful woman; he 
could neither eat nor drink, she was ever before his 
eyes. The king noticed the change, and asked: 
“ What has come upon thee, — some grief? ” 

“ Oh, your Majesty, I have seen the sharpshooter’s 
wife ; there is not such a beauty in the whole world ! 
I am thinking of her all the time ; I can neither eat 
nor drink, with no herb can I charm away my sorrow.” 


184 


Wonder- Tales from Russia. 


The desire came to the king to admire the woman 
himself. He ordered his carriage and drove to the 
soldier’s quarters. He entered the room and saw 
unspeakable beauty. No matter who looked on the 
woman, — an old man, a youth; each was in love, 
lost his wits, a heart-flame pinched him. “ Why,” 
thought the king, ‘‘am I wifeless and single? Let me 
marry this beauty, — that is the thing. Why is she a 
sharpshooter’s wife? It is her fate to be queen.” 

The king returned to his palace and said to the 
mayor : “ Listen to me ! Thou hast known how to show 
me this unimaginable beauty, now find the way to 
get rid of her husband ; I want to marry her myself. 
And if thou dost not put him out of the way, blame 
thyself; for though thou art my faithful servant, 
thou ’It die on the gallows.” 

The mayor went his way sadder than before. 
How was he to “finish the sharpshooter?” he 
could not think. As he was going through back 
lanes and waste places, a Baba-Yaga met him. 

“ Stop,” said she, “ servant of the king ! I know 
all thy thoughts. If thou wilt, I will aid thee in this 
unavoidable sorrow.” 

“Aid me, grandmother, and I’ll pay what thou 
wishest.” 

“The king has ordered thee to put an end to 
Fedot the sharpshooter. That would be easy 
enough, for he is simple, were it not for his wife, 
who is awfully cunning. Well, we ’ll give them 


Shmat-Razum, 


185 

such a riddle that it will not soon be explained. 
Go back to the king and say : ‘ Beyond the thrice- 
ninth land, in the thirtieth kingdom, is an island, on 
that island a deer with golden horns.’ Let the king 
bring together half a hundred sailors, — the most 
good-for-nothing fellows, all bitter drunkards, — and 
order that a rotten old ship which has been out of 
service for thirty years be fitted for the voyage. Let 
him send Fedot the sharpshooter on that ship to 
get the deer with golden horns. In order to go to 
the island it is necessary to sail neither more nor 
less than three years, and back from the island three 
more; six in all. Well, the ship will sail out on the 
sea, serve about a month, and sink right there; the 
sharpshooter and the sailors will go to the bottom, 
every man ! ’ ” 

The mayor listened to these words, thanked the 
Baba-Yaga for her counsel, rewarded her with gold, 
and went off on a run to the king. “ Your Majesty,” 
said he, “ Fedot can be finished in such and such 
fashion.” 

The king consented, and issued an order at once 
to the navy to prepare for a voyage an old rotten 
ship, to provision it for six years, and man it with 
fifty sailors, the most dissolute and bitter drunk- 
ards. Messengers ran to all the dram-shops and 
drinking-houses, collected such sailors that it was 
dear and precious to look at them. One had a black 
eye, another had his nose driven to one side. 


1 86 Wonder- Tales from Russia* 

As soon as it was reported to the king that the 
ship was ready, he sent for the sharpshooter and 
said; *‘Now, Fedot, thou art a hero of mine, — the 
first shot in the company. Do me a service. Go 
beyond the thrice-ninth land to the thirtieth king- 
dom. In that place is an island, on that island lives 
the deer with golden horns. Take it alive, and bring 
it to me.” 

Fedot became thoughtful, knew not what to answer. 

“Think, think not,” said the king; “but if thou 
do not the work, I have a sword, and thy head leaves 
thy shoulders ! ” 

Fedot wheeled round to the left and went forth 
from the palace, came home in the evening power- 
fully sad, not wishing to utter one word. 

“Why dost thou grieve, my dearest?” asked his 
wife. “Is there some mishap?” 

He told her all. 

“ This is why thou art grieved. There is reason, 
indeed ; for it is an exploit, not a service. Pray to 
God and lie down to sleep; the morning is wiser 
than the evening: everything will be done.” 

The sharpshooter lay down and slept. But his 
wife opened her magic-book, at once two unknown 
youths appeared before her and asked : “ What dost 
thou wish? What dost thou need? ” 

“ Go beyond the thrice-ninth land to the thirtieth 
kingdom, to an island; seize there the deer with 
golden horns, and bring it here.” 


Shmat-Razum. 


187 


*‘We obey; it will be done before dawn.” 

They rushed like a whirlwind to the island, caught 
the deer with golden horns, and brought it straight 
to Fedot’s house. An hour before daybreak all was 
done, and they vanished as if they had never been. 
The beautiful wife roused her husband at dawn and 
said : “ Look out ; the deer with golden horns is walk- 
ing in the yard. Take it with thee on board the 
ship, sail forward five days, on the sixth turn back.” 

The sharpshooter put the deer in a close, fastened 
cage, and had it carried on board the ship. 

“What’s there?” asked the sailors. 

“ Oh, supplies and medicine ! It ’s a long voyage ; 
we shall need many a thing.” 

The day for sailing came. A great crowd of 
people went to see the ship leave the wharf. The 
king went himself, made Fedot chief over all the 
sailors, and bade him farewell. 

The vessel sailed five days on the sea ; the shores 
had long vanished. Fedot ordered a hundred-and- 
twenty-gallon cask to be rolled on to the deck, and 
said to the sailors : “ Drink, brothers ; spare it not, 
your souls are your measure ! ” 

They were delighted, rushed to the cask, began 
to drink, and got so drunk that they rolled down on 
the deck, and fell fast asleep at the side of the cask. 
Fedot took the helm, turned the ship around toward 
the harbor, and sailed home. So that the sailors 
should not know anything about it, he kept pouring 


1 88 Wonder-Tales from Russia, 

liquor into them from morning till night ; when they 
began to open their eyes after one drunken fit, a 
new cask was ready. On the eleventh day the ship 
drew up at the wharf; the flag was hoisted, and guns 
fired. The king heard the firing, and ran down to 
the landing. “What does all this mean?” He saw 
the sharpshooter, fell into a towering passion, and 
rushed at him furiously. “ How hast thou dared to 
come back before time? ” 

“ But where was I to go, your Majesty? Some fool 
might have spent ten years in sailing over the seas 
and got nothing ; but I, instead of spending six years, 
did the work in ten days. Would you be pleased to 
look at the golden-horned deer?” 

Straightway they brought the cage from the ship 
and let out the golden-horned deer. The king saw 
that the sharpshooter was right ; he could not touch 
him, he let him go home. The sailors had a holiday 
for six years ; no one could ask them to work during 
that time, for the voyage was counted as six years, 
and they had served their time. 

Next day the king called the mayor into his pres- 
ence and threatened him : “ What meanest thou ; art 
making sport of me? ’Tis clear thy head is not dear 
to thee. Do what thou pleasest, but find means of 
putting Fedot to a cruel death.” 

“Let me think, your Majesty; we may mend 
matters.” The mayor went his way, betook himself 
to back lanes and waste places, met the Baba-Yaga. 


Shmat-Razum. 


189 


Stop, servant of the king ! I know thy thoughts : 
dost wish I will help thee in trouble ? ” 

“Oh, help me, grandmother! Fedot has brought 
the deer with golden horns.” 

“ Oh, I have heard that already. It would be as 
easy to put Fedot out of the way as to take a pinch 
of snuff, for he is simple ; but his wife is terribly cun- 
ning. Well, we ’ll give them another riddle that they 
will not solve so quickly. Tell the king to send the 
sharpshooter to the verge of destruction and bring 
back Shmat-Razum, — that ’s a task he will not ac- 
complish to all eternity ; he will either be lost without 
tidings, or come back empty-handed.” 

The mayor rewarded the old witch with gold and 
hurried to the king, who heard him and summoned 
Fedot. 

“ Fedot,” said the king, “ thou art a hero, the 
best shot I have. Thou hast brought me the deer 
with golden horns, now thou must do me another 
service ; and if thou wilt not do it, I have a sword, 
and thy head leaves thy shoulders. Thou must go 
to the verge of destruction and bring back Shmat- 
Razum.” 

Fedot turned to the left, walked out of the palace, 
went home sad and thoughtful. 

“ My dear,” asked his wife, “why art thou sad, has 
some misfortune happened?” 

“ Ah,” said he, “ one woe has rolled from my neck 
and another rolled on ! The king sends me to the 


190 Wonder^Tales from Russia. 

verge of destruction to bring back Shmat-Razum. 
For thy beauty I bear all this trouble and care.” 

“That,” said she, “ is no small task, — nine years 
to go there, and nine to come back, eighteen in all. 
Will good come of it? God knowsl But pray to the 
Lord and lie down to sleep; the morning is wiser 
than the evening. To-morrow thou ’It know all.” 

After Fedot had lain down, his wife opened her 
magic book and asked the two unknown youths if 
they knew how to go to the verge of destruction and 
bring back Shmat-Razum. They answered : “ We 
know not.” In the morning she roused her hus- 
band and said, “ Go to the king and ask for the road 
golden treasure, — thou hast eighteen years to wan- 
der ; when thou hast the money come home for the 
parting.” 

Fedot got the money from the king and returned 
to take farewell of his wife. She gave him a towel 
and a ball, and said : “ When thou goest out of the 
town throw the ball down before thee, and wherever 
it rolls do thou follow. Here is a towel of my own 
work ; no matter where thou art, wipe thy face with 
it after washing.” 

Fedot took farewell of his wife and comrades, 
bowed down on all four sides, and went beyond the 
barrier. He threw down the ball before him; it 
rolled, rolled on, and he followed after. 

About a month had passed, when the king sum- 
moned the mayor and said : “ The sharpshooter has 


Shmat-Razum, 


191 

gone to wander over the white world for eighteen 
years ; it is evident that he will not come back alive. 
Eighteen years, as thou knowest, are not two weeks ; 
many a thing may happen on the road. He has 
much money, and robbers will fall upon him perhaps, 
strip him, and give him to a savage death. I think we 
can begin at his wife now. Take my carriage, drive to 
the soldier’s quarters, and bring her to the palace.” 

The mayor drove to Fedot’s house, entered, saluted 
the sharpshooter’s wife, and said : “ Hail, witty woman, 
the king has ordered us to present thee at the palace.” 

She went. The king received her with gladness, 
led her to a golden chamber, and spoke these words : 
“Dost thou wish to be queen? I will take thee in 
marriage.” 

“ Where has it ever been seen or heard of,” asked 
she, “ that a wife was taken from her living hus- 
band ? Though he is a simple soldier he is my law- 
ful husband.” 

“ If thou wilt not yield of thy free will, I will take 
thee by force.” 

The beautiful woman laughed, struck the floor, be- 
came a blue dove, and flew out through the window. 

Fedot journeyed over many lands and king- 
doms, the ball rolling ahead of him all the time. 
When he came to a river the ball became a bridge ; 
whenever he wanted rest it became a soft couch. 
Whether it is long or short, a story is soon told, but 
a deed is not soon done ; the sharpshooter arrived at 


'192 Wonder- Tales from Russia, 

a splendid palace, the ball rolled to the gate and dis- 
appeared. Fedot went straight up the stairs into a 
rich chamber, where he was met by three maidens of 
unspeakable loveliness. 

“Whence comest, good man, and for what?” 

“ Oh, beautiful maidens, ye have not let me rest 
after the long journey, but have begun to inquire. 
First ye should give me to eat and drink, put me to 
rest, and then make inquiry.” 

Straightway they set the table. When he had eaten 
and drunk and rested, they brought him water, a 
basin, and an embroidered towel. He took not the 
towel, but said, “ I have one of my own.” When 
they saw it they asked : “ Good man, where didst 
thou get that towel ? ” 

“ My wife gave it me.” 

“ Then thy wife is our own sister.” 

They called their aged mother. The moment she 
saw the towel she recognized it. “ Why, this is my 
daughter’s work.” She asked the guest all sorts of 
questions. He told her how he had married her 
daughter, and how the king had sent him to the verge 
of destruction to bring back Shmat-Razum. 

“ Oh, my dear son-in-law, of that wonder even 
I have not heard! Wait a moment; maybe my 
servants have.” 

She went out on the balcony and called in a loud 
voice. Presently all kinds of beasts ran up, and all 
kinds of birds flew to her. “ Hail to you, beasts of 


Shmat-Razum, 


193 


the wilderness, birds of the air! Ye beasts run 
through all places, ye birds fly everywhere ; have ye 
never heard how to go to the verge of destruction, 
where Shmat-Razum lives? ” 

All the beasts and birds answered in one voice : 
“ No ; we have never heard ! ” 

Then the old woman sent them all to their homes in 
hidden places, forests, and thickets ; went to her magic 
book, opened it, and that instant two giants appeared. 
What is thy pleasure ; what dost thou wish? ” 

“ This, my faithful servants, — bear my son-in-law 
and me to the ocean sea wide, and stop just in the 
middle above the very abyss.” 

Immediately they seized the sharpshooter and the 
old woman and bore them on like a stormy whirl- 
wind till they stopped just in the middle above the 
abyss. They stood up themselves like pillars, hold- 
ing the old woman and the sharpshooter in their 
arms. The old woman cried out with a loud voice, 
and all the fishes and living things in the sea swam 
to her in such multitudes that the blue sea could not 
be seen for them : “ Hail, fish and worms of the sea ! 
Ye swim in all places, ye pass by all islands; have 
ye not heard how to go to the verge of destruction, 
where lives Shmat-Razum ? ” 

All worms and fishes answered in one voice, No ; 
we Ve not heard ! ” 

All at once an old limping frog, who had been 
thirty years out of service, pushed her way to the 

13 


194 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


front and said, Kwa-kwa ! I know where to find 
such a wonder ! ” 

“ Well, then, my dear, thou art the person I need,” 
said the old woman. She took the frog, and com- 
manded the giants to bear them home. They were 
at the palace in a flash. The old woman asked the 
frog how her son was to go. 

“ Oh ! ” said the frog, “ that place is at the rim of 
the world, — far, far away. I would conduct him 
myself, but I am very old ; I can barely move my 
legs, — I could n’t jump there in fifty years.” 

The old woman took a bowl with some fresh milk, 
put the frog in it, gave the bowl to Fedot, and said: 
“ Carry this in thy hand ; she will show thee the way.” 

The sharpshooter took farewell of the old woman 
and her daughters, and went on his journey, the frog 
showing him the way. Whether it was near or dis- 
tant, long or short, he came at last to a flaming river, 
beyond which was a lofty mountain with a door in 
the side. 

'' Kwa-kwa ! ” said the frog. “ Put me down out 
of the bowl ; we must cross the river.” 

He put her on the ground. 

“ Now, good youth, sit thou on my back ; do not 
spare me.” 

He sat on her back and pressed her to the ground ; 
she began to swell, and swelled until she was as big 
as a stack of hay. The sharpshooter’s one care was 
to keep from falling. *‘If I fall,” thought he, ‘‘I 



SHE BEGAN TO SWELL, AND SWELLED 
WAS AS BIG AS A STACK OF HAY. 


UNTIL SHE 
Page 194 . 







I 


I 




w 


« 

■ 




I 

■* 


• r 


I 


« 


t 


J 

• r 

« I 

4 • 




» 


I* 


• t 





» « • 


I 

1 


4 


» ■ . 1 


t 

4 


*. ■ I. •• 

b 




I 


i 


% 


► 





Shmat-Razum. 


195 


shall be crushed.’* The frog cleared the flaming 
river at a jump, became small as before, and said: 
“ Now, good youth, I will wait here ; but do thou 
enter that door in the mountain. Thou wilt find a 
cave, — hide thyself well. After a time two old men 
will come in : listen to what they say, and watch what 
they do ; when they are gone, act as they did.” 

The sharpshooter entered the door of the moun- 
tain ; it was so dark in the cave that if a man strained 
his eyes out he could not see a thing. Fedot felt 
around and found a cupboard, crept in. After a 
while two old men entered and said, ‘‘Shmat-Razum, 
feed us ! ” 

That moment, however it happened, the lamps were 
lighted, the dishes and plates rattled, and various 
kinds of food and wine appeared on the table. The 
old men ate and drank, and then ordered Shmat- 
Razum to remove everything. Everything disap- 
peared in a flash ; neither table, nor food, nor wine, 
nor lights remained. The two old men went out. 

The sharpshooter crawled from the cupboard and 
cried, “ Hei, Shmat-Razum ! ” 

“What dost thou wish?” 

“ Feed me ! ” 

Again the lights, the table, the food and drink 
appeared as before. Fedot sat at the table and said: 
“Hei, Shmat-Razum, sit down brother, with me, we ’ll 
eat and drink together ; it is irksome for me alone.” 

The voice of the unseen answered : “ Oh, kind man ! 


196 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


whence has God brought thee? It is nearly thirty 
years that I serve these old men in faith and in truth, 
and all this time they have never once seated me 
with themselves.” 

The sharpshooter looked and wondered. He saw 
no one, but the food was swept from the plates as 
if with a broom; the bottles raised themselves and 
poured the wine into glasses, — behold, in a moment 
bottles and glasses are empty ! 

“ Shmat-Razum, dost thou wish to serve me?” 
asked the sharpshooter. “ I ’ll give thee a pleasant 
life.” 

Why not? I am sick of being here; and thou, I 
see, art a kind man.” 

“ All right ; pick up everything and come along.” 
The sharpshooter went out of the cave, looked around, 
saw no one, and asked : Art thou here, Shmat- 
Razum? ” 

“ Here ; I ’ll not leave thee, never fear.” 

“Very well,” said Fedot, and sat on the frog, — 
she swelled, jumped over the river, and became 
small. He put her in the bowl, and went on the 
homeward road, came to his mother-in-law, and made 
his new servant entertain the old woman and her 
daughters. Shmat-Razum gave them such a feast 
that the old woman came very near dancing from 
joy. She ordered that three bowls of milk be given 
to the frog every day in reward for her faithfulness. 
The sharpshooter bade good by to his friends and set 


Skmat-Razum, 


197 


out for home. He travelled and journeyed till he was 
almost weaned to death. Oh, Shmat-Razum,” said 
he, if thou couldst only know how tired I am, I am 
just losing my legs.” 

“ Why not tell me long ago ? ” asked the other ; 

I should have brought thee home quickly.” With 
that he seized Fedot and bore him like a rushing 
whirlwind, so swiftly that his cap fell off. 

“Hei, Shmat-Razum, wait a minute; my cap is 
gone.” 

Late, my master ; thy cap is now three thousand 
miles behind.” 

Towns and villages, rivers and forests, just flashed 
before the eye; as Fedot was flying over a deep sea 
Shmat-Razum said : ‘‘ If thou wishest, I will make a 
summer-house in the midst of the sea; thou canst 
rest, and acquire great fortune.” 

“ Well, make it.” 

They dropped down toward the sea, and behold, 
where a moment before the waves were rolling, an 
island rose up, and in the centre a golden pleasure- 
house. 

“ Now, my master, sit down in this house, rest, and 
look at the sea. Presently three merchant-ships will 
sail by and cast anchor. Invite the merchants, enter- 
tain them well, and exchange me for three wonder- 
ful things which they have. I ’ll come to thee again 
in my own time.” 

Fedot looked; three merchant -ships were sailing 


198 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


from the west. The merchants saw the island and 
wondered. 

‘‘ What does this mean ? ” asked they. ** How 
many times have we sailed by here and seen nothing 
but water, and now an island and a pleasure-house ! 
Let us stand up to the shore, brothers, let us look and 
admire." 

They stopped the ships, cast anchor; the three 
merchants stepped into a light boat, went to the 
island, landed, and saluted Fedot, — 

“ Hail, worthy man ! " 

Good health to you, foreign merchants I We 
crave kindness. Come in, rejoice, have a good time, 
and rest yourselves. This pleasure-house was made 
on purpose for passing guests." They went in and 
sat down. 

“ Hei, Shmat-Razum, meat and drink ! " A table 
appeared; on the table wines and meats, whatever 
the soul could desire was at hand in a moment. The 
merchants opened their mouths in amazement. 

“ Let us exchange,” said they. ** Give us thy 
servant, and take any one of our wonders." 

What wonders have ye ? " 

“ Look, and thou wilt see." 

One merchant took a small box from his pocket 
and opened it: that minute a glorious garden was 
spread over the whole island with flowers and paths ; 
he closed the box, and the garden was gone. The 
second merchant took an axe from under his skirts 


Shmat-Razum. 


199 


and began to hit, hit strike, a ship came out: hit 
strike — another ship. He struck a hundred times — a 
hundred ships. They moved around the island under 
full canvas, with sailors and cannon. The sailors run 
and fire guns. The commanders come to the mer- 
chant for orders. He amused himself, hid his axe: 
the ships vanished from the eye, were as if they 
had never been. The third merchant took a horn, 
blew into it at one end: that minute an army ap- 
peared, cavalry and infantry, with muskets and can- 
nons and flags ; from every regiment come reports to 
the merchant, and he gives them orders. The army 
marches, with music sounding and banners waving. 
The merchant took his horn, blew in at the other end : 
there is nothing. Where has all the power gone to ? 

“ Your wonders are strange,” said the sharpshooter; 
“ but these are all playthings for kings, and I am a sim- 
ple soldier. If ye will exchange, however, I agree to 
give you my unseen servant for all three of your 
wonders.” 

Is not that rather too much ? ” 

“Well, ye know your own business, I suppose; but 
I will not exchange on other conditions.” 

The merchants thought to themselves, “What good 
are these ships and soldiers and garden to us? Let us 
exchange, — at least we shall have enough to eat and 
drink all our lives without trouble.” 

They gave the sharpshooter their wonders, and 
asked: “ Shmat-Razum, wilt thou come with us?” 


200 Wonder-Tales from Russia, 

“Why not? It’s all the same to me where I 
live.” 

The merchants returned to their ships and said: 
“Now, Shmat-Razum, fly about; give us to eat and 
drink.” They invited all the men, and had such a feast 
that every one got drunk and slept a sound sleep. 

The sharpshooter was sitting in the golden summer- 
house; he fell to thinking, and said: “I am sorry; 
where art thou now, trusty servant?” 

“ Here, my master.” 

Fedot rejoiced. “ Is n’t it time for us to go home? ” 
The moment he spoke he was borne through the air 
as if by a whirlwind. 

The merchants woke up, and wishing to drink off 
the effects of their carousal, cried out : “ Give us to 
drink, Shmat-Razum.” No one answered, nothing was 
brought; no matter how much they screamed and 
commanded, no result. “Well, gentlemen, this scoun- 
drel has swindled us. Now Satan himself could not 
find him ; the island has vanished, the pleasure-house 
is gone.” The merchants grieved and regretted; 
then hoisted their sails and went to where they had 
business. 

The sharpshooter soon arrived at his own kingdom, 
came down by the seashore. “ Shmat-Razum, canst 
thou build me a palace here? ” 

“ Why not? — it will be ready directly.” 

The palace appeared so splendid that it could not 
be described, — twice as good as the king’s. Now the 


Shmat-Razum, 


201 


box was opened, and all around the palace was a 
glorious garden, with rare trees and flowers. 

The sharpshooter sat by the window admiring the 
garden when all at once a blue dove flew in through 
the open window, struck the floor, and became his 
young wife. They embraced and kissed each other; 
then made inquiries and gave answer. Said his 
wife to Fedot: Since the time thou didst leave me I 
have lived a lone dove in the forests and thickets.” 

Next morning the king went out on the balcony, 
and saw by the shore of the blue sea a new palace, 
and a green garden around it. “What insolent fellow 
has built on my land without leave?” Couriers has- 
tened, discovered, reported, that the palace was built 
by Fedot, who was living there then, and with him 
his wife. 

The king’s anger increased. He gave orders to 
collect troops and go to the sea-shore, destroy the 
garden, break the palace into small pieces, and give 
the sharpshooter and his wife to a cruel death. 

Fedot saw the strong army approaching. He took 
his axe quickly, and struck; a ship came forth; he 
struck a hundred times, — a hundred ships were 
ready ; he blew his horn once, infantry was march- 
ing ; he blew it a second time, cavalry was galloping. 
The commanders rushed to him from the ships, from 
the army, for orders. He ordered them to give bat- 
tle. The music sounded at once, the drums rattled, 
the regiments advanced. The hundred ships open a 


202 


Wonder-Tales front Russia. 


cannonade on the king’s capital. The army moves 
on at the sound of music and beat of drum. The 
infantry rout the king’s soldiers, the cavalry take 
them prisoners. The king sees that his army is 
fleeing, hurries forward himself to stop it. But 
what could he do? Half an hour had not passed 
before he was killed. 

When the battle was over, the people came to- 
gether and begged the sharpshooter to take the 
government of the kingdom into his hands. He 
agreed, became king, and his wife queen. 


MARYA MOREVNA. 


I N a certain kingdom in a certain land lived Ivan 
Tsarevich. He had three sisters. The first 
was Marya Tsarevna; the second, Olga Tsarevna; 
the third, Anna Tsarevna. Their father and mother 
were dead. When dying they said to their son: 
“Whoever woos first a sister of thine, give her to 
him ; keep not thy sisters with thee long.” 

The Tsarevich buried his parents, and from sorrow 
went with his sisters to walk in the green garden. 
Suddenly a black cloud rose in the sky; a fearful 
storm was coming. “ Let us go home, sisters,” said 
Ivan Tsarevich. They had barely entered the castle 
when thunder roared, the ceiling opened, and a 
bright falcon flew into the chamber. The falcon 
struck the floor, became a gallant youth, and said: 
“ Hail, Ivan Tsarevich ! Ere now I came as a guest, 
but now I 'm a suitor. I wish to sue for thy sister, 
Marya Tsarevna.” 

“If thou art pleasing to my sister, I shall not 
restrain her. Let her go, with God.” 

Marya Tsarevna agreed, the Falcon married her, 
and bore her away to his own kingdom. 

Days followed days, hours chased hours, a whole 
year was as if it had not been. Ivan Tsarevich went 


204 Wonder-Tales from Russia. 

with his two sisters to walk in the green garden. 
Again a cloud rose with whirlwind, with lightning. 
“Let us go home, my sisters,” said the Tsarevich. 
They had barely entered the castle when a thunder- 
clap came, the roof fell apart, the ceiling opened, and 
in flew an eagle. The eagle struck the floor and be- 
came a gallant youth. “ Hail, Ivan Tsarevich ! Ere 
now I came as a guest, but now I ’m a suitor.” And 
he asked for Olga Tsarevna in marriage. 

Ivan Tsarevich answered : “ If thou art pleasing to 
Olga Tsarevna, then let her marry thee ; I take not 
her will from her.” Olga Tsarevna consented, and 
accepted the Eagle in marriage. The Eagle caught 
her up and bore her to his own kingdom. 

Another year passed. Ivan Tsarevich said to his 
youngest sister : “ Let us go to walk in the green 
garden.” They walked a little; again a cloud rose 
with whirlwind, with lightning. “ Come home, 
my sister, come ! ” They returned to the castle, 
but had not sat down when a thunderclap came, 
the ceiling opened, and in flew a raven. The 
raven struck the floor and became a gallant youth. 
The others were beautiful in person, but he was 
still better. 

“Well, Ivan Tsarevich! Ere now I came as a 
guest, but now I ’m a wooer. Give me Anna 
Tsarevna.” 

“ I take not her will from my sister. If thou hast 
pleased her, take her in marriage.” 


Mary a Morevna, 


205 


Anna Tsarevna married the Raven, and he bore her 
away to his own kingdom. 

Ivan Tsarevich remained alone. He lived a whole 
year without sisters, grew wearied. “ I will go,” 
said he, “to seek out my sisters.” 

He made ready for the road, travelled and trav- 
elled, saw an army, a power lying slain on the field. 
Said Ivan Tsarevich : “ If there is a living man here, 
let him speak. Who killed this great army?” 

A living man answered : “ Marya Morevna, the 
fair Korolyevna, killed all this great army.” 

Ivan Tsarevich went farther; he came to white 
tents. Marya Morevna, the fair Korolyevna, came 
forth to meet him. “ Hail, Tsarevich ! Where does 
God bear thee ? Of thy own will, or against thy will ? ” 

Ivan Tsarevich gave answer: “Good heroes travel 
not against their will.” 

“ Well, if thy work be not hasty be a guest in my 
tents.” 

Ivan Tsarevich was glad ; he spent two nights in 
the tents, pleased Marya Morevna, and married her. 
Marya Morevna, the fair Korolyevna, took him with 
her to her own kingdom. They lived together a 
time, and then the Korolyevna had a thought to 
make war; she left to her husband her household, 
and said : “Go everywhere, see after all things, but 
look not in this closet.” 

Ivan Tsarevich could not endure this, but when 
Marya Morevna had gone he rushed to the closet, 


206 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


opened the door, looked, and there Koshchei With- 
out~Death was hanging inside, fastened with twelve 
chains. Koshchdi implored the Tsarevich: “Take 
pity on me, give me to drink. Twelve years do I 
sit here in torment; I have not eaten nor drunk; my 
throat is parched.” 

The Tsarevich gave him a whole three-gallon tub 
of water. He drank it, and begged, “ With one tub 
my thirst cannot be quenched.” The Tsarevich gave 
him another tub. Koshchei drank that, and begged 
for a third ; and when he had drunk the third tub he 
regained his former strength, shook his chains, and 
in one moment broke all twelve. 

“ God save thee, Ivan Tsarevich ! ” said Koshchei 
Without-Death ; “ now thou wilt never see Marya 
Morevna any more than thy own ears ; ” and he went 
out a terrific whirlwind, flew through the window, 
overtook on the road Marya Morevna, the fair Ko- 
rolyevna, seized her, and bore her away. 

But Ivan Tsarevich cried bitterly, bitterly, made 
ready, and went on his road, on his way. “ Whatever 
may happen, I will find Marya Morevna.” He trav- 
elled one day, he travelled a second ; at the dawn of 
the third day he saw a wonderful palace, near the 
palace an oak, on the oak a bright falcon. The fal- 
con flew down from the tree, struck the earth, turned 
into a gallant youth, and shouted : “ Ah ! my dear 
brother-in-law, how does God favor thee?” 

Marya Tsarevna ran out, met Ivan Tsarevich joy- 


Marya Morevna, 


207 


ously, asked about his health, his life, and told about 
her own life and household. 

The Tsarevich stayed three days with them, and 
said : “ I cannot stay longer, I am in search of my 
wife, Marya Morevna, the fair Korolyevna.” 

“ It is hard to find her,” said the Falcon. “ In 
any case leave thy silver spoon here; we will look 
at it and think of thee.” 

Ivan Tsarevich left his silver spoon and went his 
way. He travelled a day, he travelled a second ; at 
the dawn of the third he saw a castle better than the 
first, at the side of the castle an oak, on the oak sits 
an eagle. The eagle flew from the tree, struck the 
ground, turned into a gallant youth, and shouted: 
“ Rise up, Olga Tsarevna ; our dear brother is com- 
ing.” Olga Tsarevna ran out that moment to meet 
him ; she began to kiss, to embrace her brother, to 
ask about his health, and to tell of her own life and 
household. 

Ivan Tsarevich remained three days with them, 
and then said: “I have no time to visit longer; I 
am going to seek my wife, Marya Morevna, the 
fair Korolyevna.” 

Said the Eagle : “ It is hard for thee to find her. 
Leave with us thy silver fork ; we will look at it and 
remember thee.” 

He left the fork and went his way. He travelled a 
day, he travelled a second ; and on the dawn of the 
third day he saw a castle better than the other two. 


20S 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


At the side of the castle was an oak, and on the oak 
a raven was perched. The raven flew down, struck 
the earth, turned into a gallant youth, and cried: 
“ Anna Tsarevna, hurry out; our brother is coming.’* 
Anna Tsarevna ran out, met him joyously, began 
to kiss and embrace her brother, to ask about his 
health, and to tell about her own life and household. 

Ivan Tsarevich stayed with them three short days, 
and said : “ Farewell, I am going to look for my 
wife, Marya Morevna, the fair Korolyevna.” 

The Raven said : “ It is hard for thee to find her; 
but leave thy gold ring with us, we will look at it 
and remember thee. If the ring is bright, it means 
that thou art alive and well; if dim, then we shall 
know that evil has come on thee.” 

Ivan Tsarevich left his gold ring and went his way. 
He travelled a day, he travelled a second ; and on the 
third he came to Marya Morevna. She saw her dear 
one, rushed on his neck, covered herself with tears, 
and said : “ Ivan Tsarevich, why didst thou not obey 
me; why didst thou look in the closet and let out 
Koshchei Without-Death ? ” 

“Forgive me, Marya Morevna; remember not the 
past. Better go with me while Koshchei is not here ; 
mayhap he will not overtake us.” 

They made ready and went. Koshch6i was out 
hunting; toward evening he was coming home, his 
good steed stumbled under him. “ Why stumble, 
hungry crowbait ; or dost feel some misfortune ? ” 


Mary a Morevna, 


209 


The horse answered : “ Ivan Tsarevich came and 
took Mary a Morevna away.” 

“ Can we overtake them? ” 

“ Thou mightest sow wheat, wait till it should 
ripen, reap it, thresh it, make flour, bake five ovens 
of bread, eat that bread, go in pursuit, and overtake 
them.” 

Koshchei galloped on, overtook Ivan Tsarevich. 
“ Well,” said he, “ I forgive thee the first time for 
thy kindness, because thou didst give me water to 
drink ; and a second time I ’ll forgive thee : but for 
the third have a care ; I will hew thee to pieces.” 

He took Marya Morevna and led her away. Ivan 
Tsarevich sat on a stone and wept; he cried and 
cried, went back for Marya Morevna. Koshchei 
Without-Death did not happen to be at home. 

** Let us go, Marya Morevna.” 

‘‘ Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, he will overtake us ! ” 

‘‘ Let him overtake us ; anyhow, we shall pass a 
couple of hours together.” They made ready and 
started away. 

Koshchei Without-Death was coming home; his 
good steed stumbled under him. “ Why dost thou 
stumble, hungry crowbait; or feelest thou evil? ” 

“ Ivan Tsarevich came and carried Marya Morevna 
away.” 

“ Can they be overtaken? ” 

‘‘ Barley might be sown, waited for till ripe, har- 
vested, threshed, and beer made of it; we might 

14 


210 


Wonder- Tales from Russia. 


drink the beer, sleep after drinking, then pursue and 
catch them.” 

Koshchdi galloped on, rode up, overtook Ivan 
Tsarevich. “ But I have said that thou canst no more 
see Marya Morevna than look at thy own ears.” He 
took her away and led her home. 

Ivan Tsarevich remained alone ; he cried and cried, 
and went back for Marya Morevna. That time 
Koshchei was not at home. 

“ Let us go, Marya Morevna.” 

“ Ah ! Ivan Tsarevich, he will come up with us, 
will hew thee to pieces.” 

“ Let him hew me ; I cannot live without thee.” 
They made ready and started. 

Koshchi^i Without-Death was coming home; his 
good steed stumbled under him. “ Why dost thou 
stumble, hungry crowbait; or feelest thou evil?” 

“ Ivan Tsarevich came, and took Marya Morevna 
away.” 

Koshchei galloped on, caught up with Ivan Tsare- 
vich, hewed him into small pieces, put him in a pitched 
barrel, took that barrel, strengthened it with iron 
hoops, and cast it into the blue sea. Marya Morevna 
he took home. 

Now the silver grew black at the houses of Ivan 
Tsarevich’s brothers-in-law. ** Oh,” said they, “ it is 
clear that some evil has happened ! ” 

The Eagle rushed off to the blue sea, caught the 
barrel, and drew it to shore ; the Falcon flew for the 


Marya Morevna, 


21 I 


living water, and the Raven for the dead water. All 
flew together to the same place, broke the barrel, 
took out the pieces of Ivan Tsarevich, washed them, 
put them together in proper order. The Raven 
sprinkled them with dead water, the body grew to- 
gether and united; the Falcon sprinkled the body 
with living water. Ivan Tsarevich trembled, rose up, 
and said, “ Gh, how long I have been sleeping! ” 

“ Thou wouldst have slept still longer without us,” 
answered the brothers-in-law. “ Come now to our 
houses.” 

“ No, brothers, I shall go to seek Marya Morevna.” 
He came to her and said, “ Discover from Koshchei 
Without-Death where he found such a steed.” 

Behold, Marya Morevna seized a favorable mo- 
ment, inquired of Koshchei. Koshchei said : “ Be- 
yond the thrice-ninth land, in the thirtieth kingdom, 
beyond the fiery river, lives Baba-Yaga; and she has 
a mare on which she flies round the world each 
day; she has many other glorious mares. I was 
her herdsman for three days. I let not one mare 
stray from her, and for that service Baba-Yaga gave 
me a colt.” 

But how didst thou cross the river of fire?” 

“ I have a kerchief of such sort that when I wave 
it on the right side three times, a bridge is made, lofty 
and high ; the fire cannot reach it.” 

Marya Morevna listened, told all to Ivan Tsare- 
vich, carried away the kerchief, and gave it to him. 


212 


Wonder-Taks from Russia. 


Ivan Tsarevich crossed the fiery river, and went to 
Baga-Yaga. Long did he go without eating and 
drinking ; a bird from beyond the sea, with her little 
children, happened in his way. I ’ll eat one little 
chick,” said Ivan Tsarevich. 

“ Eat it not, Ivan Tsarevich,” begged the bird from 
beyond the sea ; in time I will serve thee.” 

He went farther, saw in the forest a swarm of bees. 
“ I ’ll take some honey,” said he. 

The queen-bee called out, “ Touch not my honey, 
Ivan Tsarevich; in time I will serve thee.” 

He left the honey and went on. Then a lioness 
and her whelp met him. “ At least I ’ll eat this little 
lion ; I feel such hunger that I am sick.” 

“Touch him not, Ivan Tsarevich; in time I will 
serve thee.” 

“ Well, let it be as thou sayest.” 

He went on hungry; he travelled and travelled. 
There is the house of Baba-Yaga. Around the house 
stand twelve stakes ; on eleven are heads of men, — 
only one stake is unoccupied. 

“ Hail to thee, grandmother ! ” 

“ Hail to thee, Ivan Tsarevich ! Hast come of thy 
own good will, or from need ? ” 

“ I have come to earn of thee an heroic steed.” 

“Very well, Tsarevich; no need to serve a year 
with me, but three days in all. If thou wilt herd my 
mares, I ’ll give thee an heroic steed ; but if not, be 
not angry, thy head will be on the last stake.” 


Marya Morevna. 


213 


Ivan Tsarevich consented. Baba-Yaga gave him 
food with drink, and ordered him to begin the work. 
As soon as he had driven the mares afield, they 
raised their tails and all ran apart through the mea- 
dows. The Tsarevich could not cast his eyes round 
before they had vanished. Then he began to weep 
and grow sad ; he sat on a stone and fell asleep. The 
sun was going down when the bird from beyond the 
sea flew up and roused him. 

“ Rise, Ivan Tsarevich ; the mares are now home.** 

The Tsarevich stood up, came home, but Baba- 
Yaga was screaming and crying at her mares. ** Why 
did ye come home? ’* 

“ How could we help it, when birds from the whole 
world flew together and almost picked our eyes 
out?’* 

“ Well, to-morrow don’t run in the meadows, but 
scatter through the sleeping forest.” 

Ivan Tsarevich slept the night; in the morning 
Baba-Yaga said : “ See to it, Tsarevich. If thou dost 
not herd the mares, if thou losest even one of them, 
thy stormy head will be on the stake.” 

He drove the mares afield. That moment they 
raised their tails and ran through the sleeping forest. 
Again the Tsarevich sat down on a stone, cried and 
cried, then fell asleep. The sun had gone behind 
the forest when the lioness ran up. ** Rise, Ivan 
Tsarevich ; the mares are driven in.** 

Ivan Tsarevich stood up and went home. Baba- 


214 


Wander- Tales from Russia, 


Yaga was screaming and crying more than before 
at her mares. ‘‘ Why did ye come home ? ” 

** How could we help coming? Savage beasts ran 
at us from the whole world, came near tearing us 
to pieces.” 

“ Well, run to-morrow into the blue sea.” 

Ivan Tsarevich slept that night; next morning 
Baba-Yaga sent him to herd the mares. “ If thou 
dost not guard them, thy stormy head will be on the 
stake.” 

He drove the mares to the field ; that moment they 
raised their tails and vanished from the eye, ran into 
the blue sea, and stood to their necks in the water. 

Ivan Tsarevich sat on a stone, cried, and fell asleep. 
The sun had gone beyond the forest when a bee flew 
up and said : “ Ivan Tsarevich, the mares are driven 
in. But when thou art home, do not show thyself 
before the eyes of Baba-Yaga; go to the stable and 
hide behind the manger. There is a mangy little 
colt lying on the dung-heap ; steal him, and at dark 
midnight leave the place.” 

Ivan Tsarevich rose up, made his way to the stable, 
and lay down behind the manger. Baba-Yaga 
screamed and cried at her mares : “ Why did ye 
come home? ” 

How could we help coming home when bees, 
seen and unseen, flew from the whole world and 
began to sting us on every side till the blood came ! ” 

Baba-Yaga went to sleep, and just at midnight Ivan 


Mary a Morevna, 


215 


Tsarevich stole from her the mangy colt, saddled 
him, sat on his back, and galloped to the fiery river; 
when he came to the river he shook the kerchief three 
times on the right side, and suddenly, from wherever 
it came, a high, splendid bridge was hanging over the 
river. The Tsarevich crossed on the bridge, waved 
the kerchief on the left side only twice, and there 
remained above the river a bridge very, very slender. 

In the morning Baba-Yaga woke up; the mangy 
colt is not to be seen with sight. Baba-Yaga, on an 
iron mortar, rushed off in pursuit with all her breath, 
urging forward with a pestle, and removing her trail 
with a broom. She galloped to the fiery river, looked 
and thought : The bridge is good.” She rode out 
on it, and the moment she reached the middle the 
bridge broke. Baba-Yaga went headlong into the 
river; there a savage death came to her. 

Ivan Tsarevich fed his colt in the green meadows, 
and it became a marvellous steed. The Tsarevich 
came to Marya Morevna; she ran out to him, threw 
herself on his neck. 

** How has God brought thee to life? ” 

“ In this way and that way,” said he ; “ come with 

■ - ■ u 

me. 

“ I am afraid, Ivan Tsarevich. If Koshchdi over- 
takes us again, thou wilt be cut to pieces.” 

No, he will not overtake us. I have a glorious, 
heroic steed now; he goes like a bird.” 

They sat on the horse and rode off. Koshchei 


2I6 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


Without-Death was coming home ; under him 
stumbled his steed. 

“ Why stumble, hungry crow-bait ; or feelest thou 
evil?” 

Ivan Tsarevich came, took away Marya Morevna.” 

“ Can we overtake him? ” 

God knows ! Now Ivan Tsarevich has an heroic 
steed better than I.” 

‘‘ I cannot stand this,” said Koshchei the Deathless, 
‘‘ I ’ll give chase.” 

Whether it was long or short, he caught up with 
Ivan Tsarevich, sprang to the ground, and wanted to 
cut him with his sharp sword. That moment Ivan’s 
horse struck, with all the sweep of his hoof, Koshchei 
Without-Death, and smashed his skull. The Tsarevich 
finished him with his club. Then he raised a pile of 
wood, made a fire, burned Koshchei Without-Death 
on the fire, and scattered the ashes to the wind. 

Marya Morevna mounted Koshchei’s horse, and 
Ivan Tsarevich his own. They went to visit the Raven, 
then the Eagle, and last the Falcon; wherever they 
came they were met with joy. 

Oh, Ivan Tsarevich, we did not think to see thee ! 
It was not for nothing thou didst struggle ; another 
such beauty as Marya Morevna could not be found 
if sought for in the whole world.” 

They visited and feasted, and set out for their own 
kingdom; arrived there, gained wealth, and drank 
mead. 


Marya Morevna. 


217 


VARIANT OF THE RESCUE OF IVAN TSAREVICH 
AND THE WINNING OF THE COLT. 

Eagle son of Eagle flew to the sea and brought 
mighty winds, the sea rose, and threw the barrel 
on shore. Falcon son of Falcon grasped the bar- 
rel in his talons, bore it high, high in the air, and 
dropped it thence to the ground. The barrel fell 
and was broken in pieces ; but Raven son of Raven 
carried healing water and living water and sprinkled 
Ivan Tsarevich with them. Then all three of them 
caught him up and bore him to the thrice-ninth land, 
to the thirtieth kingdom. They brought him to the 
thirtieth kingdom and said : “ Go now to the blue 
sea, where lives a marvellous mare ; in front of her 
twelve men are mowing hay, and twelve rakers are 
raking what they mow: she follows them and eats 
the hay. When the mare drinks water, the blue sea 
rises in waves and leaves fall from the trees; when 
she scratches herself on hundred-year oaks, they fall 
to the ground like bundles of oats. Every month 
she has one colt ; twelve wolves follow her and devour 
these colts. Bide thy time ; and the moment a colt is 
born with a star on its forehead, seize it quickly, — that 
colt will be an heroic steed for thee. On that colt 
Koshchei Without-Death will not overtake thee.’* 
Ivan Tsarevich did as his brothers-in-law taught him. 


YELENA THE WISE. 


I N a certain kingdom, in a certain land, the Tsar 
had a golden company ; in this company served 
a soldier, Ivan by name, a hero in appearance. The 
Tsar took him into favor and began to reward him 
with rank ; in a short time he made him colonel. The 
superior officers envied him. Why have we served 
for our rank as we have thirty years, and he has got 
every rank all at once? We must get rid of him, or 
he will go ahead of us.” 

The generals and counselling boyars arranged a trip 
on the sea, prepared the ship, invited Ivan the 
colonel to go with them. They sailed out into the 
open sea, and went around till late in the evening. 
Ivan grew tired, lay on a bed, and fell into a deep 
sleep. That was all the boyars and generals were 
waiting for. They seized him, put him in a 
boat, pushed him out to sea, and returned home 
themselves. 

Soon dark clouds came up and a storm began to 
roar; the waves rose and carried the boat it is un- 
known whither ; they carried it far, far away, and cast 
it out on an island. Here Ivan woke up, looked, 
saw a desert land, no trace of the ship, and the sea 
ran terribly high. 


Yelena the Wise, 


219 


“ It is clear/’ thought he, that the ship has been 
wrecked by the storm, and all my comrades are 
drowned. Glory be to God that I am safe myself! ” 

He went to look at the island, walked and walked. 
Nowhere did he see a springing beast, a flying bird, 
or a dwelling of man. Whether it was long or short, 
Ivan wandered to an underground passage ; through 
this he went down a deep precipice, and came to the 
underground kingdom, where the six-headed serpent 
lived and reigned. He saw a white-walled castle, 
entered. The first chamber was empty, in the 
second there was no one, in the third the six-headed 
serpent was sleeping a hero’s sleep. At his side 
stood a table, on the table an enormous book was 
lying. 

Ivan opened the book and read to the page where 
it was written that a Tsar had never a son, but always 
a Tsaritsa had sons. He took and scratched out 
these words with a knife, and in place of them wrote 
that a Tsaritsa had never a son, but always a Tsar 
had sons. 

In an hour’s time the serpent turned to his other 
side, woke up, opened his eyes, saw Ivan, and asked : 
** From what place hast thou come? I live so many 
years in the world and I have not seen one man in 
my kingdom.” 

“ How from what place ? But thou knowest I am 
thy son.” 

‘'How can that be?” asked the serpent. “I will 


220 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


look in the book and see if a Tsar can have a 
>> 

son. 

He opened the book, read in it what Ivan had 
written, and was convinced. “ Thou art right, my 
son. 

He took Ivan by the hand, led him through all 
his treasure-chambers, showed him his countless 
wealth, and they began to live and live on together. 

Some time passed, and the six-headed serpent 
said : “ My dear son, here are the keys of all the 
chambers; go wherever thy desire may lead thee, 
but do not dare to look into that chamber which is 
fastened with two locks, one of gold, the other of silver. 
I will fly around the world, will look at people, and 
amuse myself.” 

He gave the keys, and flew away out of the under- 
ground kingdom to wander through the white world. 
Ivan Tsarevich remained all alone. He lived a month, 
a second and a third month, and the year was coming 
to an end, when it became dreary for him, and he 
thought to examine the chambers; he walked and 
walked till he came straight in front of the forbidden 
chamber. The good youth could not restrain him- 
self; he took out the keys, opened both locks, the 
gold and the silver, opened the oaken door. 

In that chamber were sitting two maidens riveted 
in chains: one was Tsarevna Yelena the Wise, and 
the other her maid. The Tsarevna had golden wings, 
and her maid silver wings. Said Yelena the Wise: 


Yelena the Wise. 


221 


** Hail, good hero ! Do us a service not great : give 
us each of a glass of spring water to drink.” 

Ivan, looking at her unspeakable beauty, forgot all 
about the serpent, pited the poor prisoners, poured 
out two glasses of spring water, and gave them to the 
beautiful women. They drank, shook themselves; 
the iron rings were broken, and the heavy chains fell. 
The beautiful women clapped their wings and flew 
through the open window ; then only did Ivan come 
to his mind. He shut the empty chamber, came 
out on the porch, sat on the step, hung his stormy 
head below his mighty shoulders, and grew power- 
fully, powerfully sad. How was he to give answer? 
Suddenly the wind began to whistle, a mighty storm 
rose up, the six-headed serpent flew home. 

“ Hail, my dear son ! ” 

Ivan answered not a word. 

“ Why art thou silent ; or has something happened ? ” 

‘‘ Evil, father, — I did not obey thy command. I 
looked into that chamber where two maidens were 
sitting riveted in chains, I gave them spring water to 
drink, they drank, shook themselves, clapped their 
wings, and flew out through the open window.” 

The serpent was terribly enraged; he began to 
abuse and curse in every fashion. Then he took an 
iron rod, heated it red hot, and gave Ivan three blows 
on the back. “ It is thy luck,” said he, “ that thou 
art my son ; if thou wert not, I should eat thee alive.” 

As soon as Ivan^s back had healed he began to 


222 


Wonder dales from Russia. 


beg of the serpent: “Father, let me go out into the 
world to look for Yelena the Wise.” 

“ What couldst thou do ? I was thirty-three years 
getting her, and barely, barely had I the skill to catch 
her.” 

“ Let me go, father ; let me try my fortune.” 

“ Well, after me if thou pleasest. Here is the car- 
pet that flies of itself : wherever thou wishest, there 
will it bear thee; only I am sorry for thee, since 
Yelena the Wise is terribly cunning. If thou catch 
her she will still overreach and deceive thee.” 

Ivan sat on the carpet that flies of itself, flew out 
of the underground kingdom, and hadn’t time to 
wink before he found himself in a beautiful garden. 
He went to a pond, sat under a laburnum-bush, and 
began to look and admire the gold and silver fish 
swimming in the clear water. Before five minutes 
had passed, Yelena the Wise had flown to the pond 
with her maid. They took off their wings at once, 
put them near the bush, undressed, and ran into the 
water to bathe. 

Ivan took the wings quietly, came from under the 
bush, and cried with a loud voice : “ But now ye are 
in my hands ! ” 

The beautiful women sprang out of the pond, put 
on their clothes, came to the good youth, and begged 
him to give back their wings. “ No,” said Ivan, “ I 
will not give them for anything. Yelena the Wise, 
thou hast pleased me more than the bright sun ; now 


Yelena the Wise, 


223 


I will take thee to my father and my mother, I will 
marry thee, and thou shalt be my wife, and I will be 
thy husband.” 

The Tsarevna’s maid said : Hear me, good youth : 
Tis thy wish to marry Yelena the Wise, but why 
detain me. Better give me my wings; I will serve 
thee in time.” 

Ivan thought and thought, and gave her the silver 
wings. She tied them on quickly, sprang up, and flew 
far, far away. After that, Ivan made a box, put the 
golden wings into it, and closed it firmly with a lock. 
He sat on the self-flying carpet, placed Yelena the 
Wise at his side, and flew away to his own kingdom. 
He came to his father, to his mother, brought them 
his bride, and begged them to love and to favor her. 
Then there was rejoicing such as no one had seen. 

Next day Ivan gave his mother the key of the 
box. “ Take care of it for a time,” said he, “ give it 
to no one ; and I will go to the Tsar and invite him 
to the wedding.” 

As soon as he had gone, Yelena the Wise ran in : 
“Mother, give me the key of the box; I must get 
clothes to dress for the wedding.” The mother, 
knowing nothing, gave her the key without fear. 
Yelena the Wise ran to the box, raised the lid, took 
her wings, put them on, clapped them once and 
again ; that was all they saw of her. 

The bridegroom came home. “ Mother, where is 
my bride. It is time to prepare for the crown.” 


224 


Wonder I'ale^ from Russia. 


** Oh, my dear son, she has flown away ! ” 

Deeply did the good youth sigh ; he took farewell 
of his father and his mother, sat on his self-flying 
carpet, and flew to the underground kingdom, to the 
six-headed serpent, who saw him and said: ‘‘Well, 
daring head, did I speak in vain when I said that 
thou couldst not get Yelena the Wise; and if thou 
didst get her she would deceive thee?’’ 

“ Thou art right, father ; but no matter what 
comes, I will try again, I will go to get her.” 

“ Ah ! thou irrestrainable fellow, knowest thou she 
has a rule that whoever wants to marry her must 
hide three times, and if she finds him she will have 
his head cut off? Many a hero has gone to her, but 
all to the last man have laid down their stormy 
heads ; and the same is preparing for thee. But here 
is a flint and steel for thee : when Yelena the Wise 
makes thee hide, strike the flint with the steel, — strike 
out a spark, and set fire to the grass of the steppe. 
At that moment a blue-winged eagle will appear and 
raise thee above the third range of clouds; if that 
does not succeed, strike fire again, and let it into the 
blue sea. A giant pike will swim to land, will take 
thee and bear thee away to the depth of the sea; 
and if Yelena the Wise finds thee, then there is no 
place in which thou canst hide from her.” 

Ivan Tsarevich took the flint and steel, thanked 
the six-headed serpent, and flew off on the carpet. 
Whether it was long or short, near or far, he flew 


Yelena the Wise. 


225 


beyond the thrice-ninth land to the thirtieth kingdom, 
where lived Yelena the Wise. Her palace was flash- 
ing like fire; it was made of pure silver and gold. 
At her gate, on iron points, were the heads of eleven 
heroes. Ivan the good youth became thoughtful. 
‘‘ Eleven heads on the points, mine will surely be the 
twelfth.” He came down in the broad court, went on 
the lofty porch, and straight to the chamber. 

Yelena the Wise met him. “ Thou ! ” said she, 
** why art thou here ? ” 

‘‘ I want to take thee in marriage.” 

Well, all right, try. If thou art able to hide from 
me, I will marry thee ; if not, thou wilt pay with thy 
head.” 

Ivan went out in the open field, took his flint 
and steel, struck fire, and put it to the steppe grass. 
From wherever he came, a blue-winged eagle flew to 
him and said, with the voice of a man, Good youth, 
sit on me quickly ; hold firmly, or thou wilt fall.” 

Ivan sat on the eagle, grasped firmly with his 
hands. The eagle clapped his wings, and rose high 
beyond the third range of clouds. He is well hidden ; 
it seems no one can find him. But Yelena the Wise 
had a mirror : all she had to do was to look in it, and 
the whole world was open to her. She knew in a 
moment where and what was going on in the white 
world. She stepped up to that mirror, looked in it, 
and knew every secret. 

“ Stop, cunning fellow,” cried Yelena the Wise, 

15 


226 


Wonder Tales Jrom Russia, 


with a loud voice ; I see thou hast flown above the 
third range of clouds. The blue-winged eagle bore 
thee; it is time to come down to the earth.” 

Ivan came to the earth, slipped off the eagle, went 
to the sea-shore, struck fire, and put it to the blue 
sea. Suddenly, from wherever he came, a giant pike 
swam to shore. “Well, good youth, creep into my 
mouth ; I ’ll hide thee in the bottom of the sea.” 
He opened his jaws, took in the young man, sank 
with him in the abyss of the sea, and covered him 
with sand. 

“ Now,” thought Ivan, “ perhaps it will be all right.” 
But the point was not there. 

Yelena the Wise barely looked in the mirror, and 
saw everything at once. “ Stop, cunning fellow, I 
see thou hast gone into the giant pike, and thou art 
sitting now in the abyss of the sea beneath rolling 
sands ; it is time to come to shore.” The pike swam 
to shore, threw out the good youth, and vanished in 
the sea. 

Ivan returned to the broad court of Yelena the 
Wise, sat on the porch, and grew powerfully thought- 
ful and sad. At that moment the maid of Yelena the 
Wise ran up the stairway. “ Why are thou sad, 
good youth?” 

“ How can I be glad? If I hide not the third time, 
I must part with the white world ; so here I am sit- 
ting and waiting for death.” 

“ Grieve not ; foretell no evil on thy own stormy 


Yelena the Wise, 


227 


head. Once I promised to serve thee ; I spoke no 
empty word. Come, I will hide thee.'’ 

She took Ivan by the hand, led him in, and put 
him behind the mirror. A little later Yelena the 
Wise ran to the chamber, looked and looked in 
the mirror. She could not see her bridegroom ; the 
appointed time had passed. She grew angry, and 
with vexation struck the glass ; it fell into fragments, 
and before her stood Ivan the brave youth. 

There was no help for it, — she had to yield this 
time. At the house of Yelena the Wise there was no 
need of waiting to make mead or wine; that day 
they had a noble feast and a wedding. They were 
crowned, and began to live, — to live on and win 
wealth. 


THE SEVEN SIMEONS, FULL BROTHERS. 



HERE lived an old man and his old wife ; they 


lived many years, to a great age. Then they 
began to pray to God to give them a child who in 
their old age might help them to work. They 
prayed a year, they prayed a second, they prayed a 
third and fourth, they prayed a fifth and a sixth, and 
did not receive a child ; but in the seventh year the 
Lord gave them seven sons, and they called them all 
Simeon. When the old man with the old woman 
died, the Simeons were left orphans all in their 
tenth year. 

They ploughed their own land, and were not worse 
than their neighbors. It happened one time to Tsar 
Ador, the ruler of all that country, to pass their vil- 
lage, and he saw the Seven Simeons working in the 
field. He wondered greatly that such small boys 
were ploughing and harrowing. Therefore he sent 
his chief boyar to inquire whose children they were. 
When the boyar came to the Simeons he asked 
why they, such small children, were doing such 
heavy work? 

The eldest Simeon answered that they were or- 
phans, that there was no one to work for them, and 


The Seven Simeons^ Full Brothers, 229 


said at the same time that they were all called 
Simeon. The boyar left them and told this to the 
Tsar, who wondered greatly that so many small boys, 
brothers, should be called by one name. Therefore 
he sent the same boyar to take them to the palace. 
The boyar carried out the command of the Tsar and 
took all the Simeons with him. When the Tsar 
came to the palace he assembled the boyars and men 
of counsel and asked advice in the following words : 

“ My boyars and men of counsel, ye see these 
seven orphans who have no relatives : I wish to make 
of them men who may be grateful to me hereafter ; 
therefore I ask counsel of you. In what science or 
art should I have them instructed ? ” 

To this all answered as follows : “ Most Gracious 
Sovereign, as they are now grown somewhat and 
have reason, dost thou not think it well to ask each 
one of them separately with what science or art he 
would like to occupy himself? ” 

The Tsar accepted this advice gladly, and began 
by asking the eldest Simeon: “Listen to me, my 
friend : with whatever science or art thou wishest to 
occupy thyself, in that I will have thee instructed.” 

Simeon answered : “ Your Majesty, I have no wish 
to occupy myself with any science or art ; but if you 
would give command to build a forge in the middle 
of your court-yard, I would forge a pillar reaching to 
the sky.” 

The Tsar saw that there was no reason to teach 


230 


Wonder- Tales from Russia, 


this Simeon, for he knew well enough the art of a 
blacksmith; still, he did not believe that the boy 
could forge a pillar to the very sky, therefore he gave 
command to build in quick time a forge in the middle 
of his court-yard. After the first he called the second 
Simeon. “ And thou, my friend, whatever science or 
art thou wishest to study, in that will I give thee to 
be taught.” 

Then that Simeon answered : “ Your Majesty, I do 
not wish to study any science or art ; but if my eldest 
brother will forge a pillar to the sky, then I will climb 
that pillar to the top, and will look at all lands, and 
tell you what is going on in each one of them.” 

The Tsar considered that there was no need to 
teach this Simeon either, because he was wise al- 
ready. Then he asked the third Simeon : “ Thou, 
my friend, what science or art dost thou wish to 
learn? ” 

Simeon answered : “ Your Majesty, I do not wish 
to learn any science or art ; but if my eldest brother 
will make me an axe, with the axe I will strike once, 
twice ; that moment there will be a ship.” 

Then the king answered : I need shipwrights, 
and thou shouldst not be taught anything else.” 
Next he asked the fourth : “ Thou, Simeon, what 
science or art dost thou wish to know?” 

‘'Your Majesty,” answered he, “I do not wish to 
know any science; but if my third brother should 
make a ship, and if it should happen to that ship to 


The Seven Simeons^ Full Brothers, 231 


be at sea, and an enemy should attack it, I would 
seize it by the prow and take the ship to the under- 
ground kingdom ; and when the enemy had gone away 
I would bring it back to the surface of the sea.” 

The Tsar was astonished at these great wonders of 
the fourth Simeon, and he said : “ There is no need to 
teach thee either.” Then he asked the fifth Simeon : 
‘‘ And thou, Simeon, what science or art dost thou 
wish to learn ? ” 

‘‘ I do not wish to learn any,” said he ; but if my 
eldest brother will make me a gun, with that gun, if 
I see a bird, I will hit it, even one hundred versts 
distant” 

“Well, thou wilt be a splendid sharpshooter for 
me,” said the Tsar. Then he asked the sixth Simeon : 
“Thou, Simeon, what science dost thou wish to 
begin? ” 

“ Your Majesty,” said Simeon, “ I have no wish to 
begin any science or art ; but if my fifth brother will 
shoot a bird on the wing, I will not let it reach the 
earth, but will catch it and bring it to you.” 

“ Thou ’rt very cunning,” said the Tsar ; “ thou wilt 
take the place of a retriever for me in the field.” Then 
the Tsar asked the last Simeon : “ What art or science 
dost thou wish to learn?” 

“ Your Majesty,” answered he, “ I do not wish to 
learn any science or art, because I have a most pre- 
cious craft.” 

“ But what is thy craft? Tell me, if it please thee.*' 


232 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


I know how to steal dexterously,” said Simeon, 
“ so that no man can steal in comparison with me.” 

The Tsar became greatly enraged, hearing of such 
an evil art, and said to his boyars and men of counsel : 

Gentlemen, how do ye advise me to punish this 
thief Simeon? Tell me what death should he 
die ? ” 

“Your Majesty,” said they all to him, “why put 
him to death? He is a thief in name, but a thief who 
may be needed on an occasion.” 

“ For what reason? ” asked the Tsar. 

“For this reason: your Majesty is trying now 
these ten years to get Tsarevna Yelena the Beau- 
tiful, and you have not been able to get her; and 
besides, have lost great forces and armies, and spent 
much treasure and other things. Mayhap this Simeon 
the thief may in some way be able to steal Yelena the 
Beautiful for your Majesty.” 

The Tsar said in answer : “ My friends, ye tell me 
the truth.” Then he turned to Simeon the thief and 
asked: “Well, Simeon, canst thou go to the thrice- 
ninth land, to the thirtieth kingdom, and steal for me 
Yelena the Beautiful? I am strongly in love with 
her, and if thou canst steal her for me I ’ll give thee 
a great reward.” 

“ Stealing is my art, your Majesty,” anwered the 
seventh Simeon, “ and I will steal her for you ; only 
give the command.” 

“Not only do I give the command, but I beg thee 


The Seven Simeons^ Full Brothers. 233 


to do it ; and delay no longer at my court, but take 
for thyself troops and money, whatever is needed.” 

“ Neither troops nor treasure do I need,” answered 
he. Let all of us brothers go together, and I will 
get Tsarevna Yelena the Beautiful.” 

The Tsar did not like to part with all the Simeons ; 
still, though he regretted it, he was obliged to let 
them all go together. Meanwhile the forge was built 
in the court, and the eldest Simeon forged an iron 
pillar to the very sky; the second Simeon climbed 
on that pillar to the top, and looked in the direction 
in which was the kingdom of the father of Yelena the 
Beautiful. After he had looked he cried from the 
top of the pillar: “Your Majesty, I see Yelena the 
Beautiful sitting beyond the thrice-ninth land in the 
thirtieth kingdom under a window ; her marrow flows 
from bone to bone.” 

Now the Tsar was still more enticed by her beauty, 
and said to the Simeons in a loud voice : “ My friends, 
start on your journey at once, for I cannot live with- 
out Yelena, the beautiful Tsarevna.” 

The eldest Simeon made an axe for the third, and 
for the fifth he made a gun ; and after that they took 
bread for the journey, and Simeon the Thief took a 
cat, and they went their way. Simeon the Thief had 
made the cat so used to him that she ran after him 
everywhere like a dog ; and if he stopped on the road, 
or in any other place, the cat stood on her hind legs, 
rubbed against him, and purred. So the brothers went 


234 


Wonder-Tales from Russia* 


their way for some time, and at last came to the sea, 
which they had to cross, and there was nothing to 
cross upon. They walked along the shore and looked 
for a tree of some kind to make a vessel, and they 
found a very large oak. The third Simeon took his 
axe and cut the oak at the very root, and then with 
one stroke and another he made straightway a ship, 
which was rigged, and in the ship were various costly 
goods. All the Simeons sat on that ship and sailed 
on their journey. 

In a few months they arrived safely at the place 
where it was necessary for them to go. When they 
entered the harbor they cast anchor at once. On the 
following day Simeon the Thief took his cat and 
went into the town, and coming to the Tsar s palace he 
stood opposite the window of Yelena the Beautiful. 
At that moment the cat stood on her hind legs and 
began to rub against him and to purr. It is necessary 
to say that in that kingdom they knew nothing of cats, 
and had not heard what kind of beast the cat is. 

Tsarevna Yelena the Beautiful was sitting at the 
window; and seeing the cat, sent straightway her 
nurses and maidens to ask Simeon what kind of 
beast that was, would he not sell it, and what price 
would he take. The maidens and nurses ran out in 
the street and asked Simeon what kind of beast that 
was, and would he not sell it? 

Simeon answered : “ My ladies, be pleased to relate 
to her Highness, Yelena the Beautiful, that this little 


The Seven Simeons, Full Brothers, 235 


beast is called a cat, that I will not sell it, but if she 
wishes to have it I will give it to her without price.” 

The maidens and nurses ran straight to the palace 
and told what they had heard from Simeon. 

Tsarevna Yelena the Beautiful was rejoiced beyond 
measure, ran out herself, and asked Simeon would 
he not sell the cat. 

Simeon said: “ Your Highness, I will not sell the 
cat; but if you like her, then I make you a present 
of her.” 

The Tsarevna took the cat in her arms and went 
to the palace, and Simeon she commanded to follow. 
When she came to the palace the Tsarevna went to 
her father, and showed him the cat, explaining that 
a certain foreigner had given it to her as a present. 

The Tsar, seeing such a wonderful little beast, was 
greatly delighted, and gave orders to call Simeon the 
Thief; and when he came, the Tsar wished to reward 
him with money for the cat; but as Simeon would 
not take it, he said : “ My friend, live for the 

time in my house, and meanwhile, in your pres- 
ence, the cat will become better used to my 
daughter.” 

To this Simeon did not agree, and said to the Tsar: 
“ Your Majesty, I could live with great delight in 
your house if I had not the ship on which I came 
to your kingdom, and which I cannot commit to any 
one; but if you command, me I will come every day 
and teach the cat to know your daughter.” 


236 Wonder-Tales from Russia, 

The Tsar commanded Simeon to come every day. 
Simeon began to visit Tsarevna Yelena the Beautiful. 
One day he said to her : “ Gracious lady, often have I 
come here ; I see that you are not pleased to walk 
anywhere ; you might come to my ship, and I would 
show you such costly brocades as you have never 
seen till this day.” 

The Tsarevna went straightway to her father and 
began to beg permission to go to the ship-wharf. 
The Tsar permitted her, and told her to take nurses 
and maidens, and go with Simeon. 

As soon as they came to the wharf Simeon invited 
her to his ship, and when she entered the ship Simeon 
and his brothers began to show the Tsarevna various 
rich brocades. Then Simeon the Thief said to Yelena 
the Beautiful : “ Now be pleased to tell your nurses 
and maidens to leave the ship, because I wish to show 
you things so costly that they should not see them.” 

The Tsarevna commanded her maidens and nurses 
to leave the ship. As soon as they had gone, Simeon 
the Thief ordered his brothers in silence to cut off 
the anchor and go to sea with all sail; meanwhile 
he showed the Tsarevna rich goods and made her 
presents of some. About two hours had passed while 
he was showing the stuffs. At last she said it was time 
for her to go home, the Tsar her father would expect 
her to dinner. Then she went out of the cabin and 
saw that the ship was under sail and land no longer 
in sight. 


The Seven Simeons, Full Brothers. 237 


She struck herself on the breast, turned into a 
swan, and flew off. The fifth Simeon took his gun 
that minute and wounded the swan ; the sixth Simeon 
did not let her fall to the water, but brought her back 
to the ship, where she became a maiden as before. 

The nurses and maidens who were at the wharf, 
seeing the ship move away from the shore with the 
Tsarevna, ran straight to the Tsar and told him of 
Simeon’s deceit. Then the Tsar sent a whole fleet in 
pursuit. When this fleet coming up was very near the 
ship of the Simeons, the fourth Simeon seized the 
prow and conducted the ship to the underground 
kingdom. When the ship had become entirely invis- 
ible, the commanders of the fleet thought it was lost, 
with the Tsarevna ; therefore they returned, and re- 
ported to the Tsar that Simeon’s ship had gone to the 
bottom with Yelena the Beautiful. 

The Simeons arrived at their own kingdom suc- 
cessfully, delivered Yelena the Beautiful to Tsar Ador, 
who for such a mighty service of the Simeons gave 
liberty to them all, and plenty of gold, silver, and 
precious stones, married Yelena the Beautiful himself, 
and lived with her many years. 


THE ENCHANTED PRINCESS. 


I N a certain kingdom a soldier served in the 
mounted guard of the king. He served twen- 
ty-five years in faithfulness and truth; and for his 
good conduct the Jcing gave orders to discharge him 
with honor, and give him as reward the same horse 
on which he had ridden in the regiment, with all the 
caparison. 

The soldier took farewell of his comrades and set 
out for his native place. He travelled a day, a sec- 
ond, and a third. Behold, a whole week had gone; 
a second and third week ! The soldier had no 
money ; he had nothing to eat himself, nothing to 
give his horse, and his home was far, far away. He 
saw that the affair was a very bad one ; he wanted 
terribly to eat, began to look in one direction and 
another, and saw on one side a great castle. “ Well,” 
thought he, “better go there; maybe they will take 
me even for a time to serve, — I ’ll earn something.” 

He turned to the castle, rode into the court, put 
his horse in the stable, gave him hay, and entered the 
castle. In the castle a table was set with food and 
wine, — with everything that the soul could wish for. 

The soldier ate and drank. “Now,” thought he, 
“ I may sleep.” 


The Enchanted Princess. 


239 


All at once a bear came in. “ Fear me not, brave 
hero; thou hast come in good time. I am not a 
savage bear, but a fair maiden, an enchanted princess. 
If thou canst endure and pass three nights in this 
place, the enchantment will be broken, I shall be a 
princess as before, and will marry thee.” 

The soldier consented. Now, there fell upon him 
such a sadness that he could not look on the world, 
and every moment the sadness increased; if there 
had been no wine he could not have held out a single 
night, as it seemed. The second night it went so far 
that the soldier resolved to leave everything and run 
away; but no matter how he struggled, no matter 
how he tried, he found no way out of the castle. 
There was no help for it, he had to stay in spite of 
himself. 

He passed the third night. In the morning there 
stood before him a princess of unspeakable beauty. 
She thanked him for his service, and told him to 
make ready for the crown (marriage). Straightway 
they had the wedding, and began to live together 
without care or trouble. After a time the soldier 
remembered his native place; he wanted to spend 
some time there. The princess tried to dissuade 
him. 

Remain, stay here, my friend, go not away. 
What is lacking to thee?” 

No, she could not dissuade him. She took fare- 
well of her husband, gave him a sack filled with seeds, 


240 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


and said : ‘‘ On whatever road thou mayest travel, 
throw these seeds on both sides. Wherever they fall, 
that moment trees will spring up ; on the trees pre- 
cious fruit will be hanging in beauty, various birds 
will sing songs, and tom-cats from over the sea will 
tell tales.” 

The good hero sat on his horse of service and 
went his way. Wherever he journeyed he cast seeds 
on both sides, and after him forests were rising, just 
creeping out of the damp earth. He rode one day, he 
rode a second, a third, and saw in the open field a 
caravan. On the grass merchants were sitting play- 
ing cards, near them a great kettle was hanging, and, 
though there was no fire under the kettle, it was boil- 
ing like a fountain within the pot. What a won- 
der ! ” thought the soldier ; “ there is no fire to be 
seen, and in the kettle it is boiling like a fountain, — 
let me look at it more closely.” He turned his horse 
to the place and rode up to the merchants. 

“ Hail, honorable gentlemen ! ” He had no sus- 
picion that these were not merchants, but all unclean. 
“That is a good trick of yours, — a kettle boiling 
without fire; but I have a better one.” 

He took out a seed and threw it on the ground, — 
that moment a full-grown tree came up ; on the tree 
were precious fruits in their beauty, various birds 
were singing songs, and tom-cats from over the 
sea were telling tales. From this boast the unclean 
knew him. 


The Enchanted Princess. 


241 


“ Ah,” said they among themselves, “ this is the 
man who liberated the princess! Come, brothers, 
let us drug him with a weed, and let him sleep half 
a year.” 

They went to entertaining him, and drugged him 
with the magic weed. The soldier dropped on the 
grass and fell into deep sleep from which he could 
not be roused. The merchants, the caravan, and the 
kettle vanished in a twinkle. 

Soon after the princess went out in her garden 
and saw that the tops of all the trees had begun to 
wither. ‘‘ This is not for good,” thought she ; “ it 
is evident that evil has come to my husband.” 

Three months passed. It was time for his return, 
and there was nothing of him, nothing. The princess 
made ready and went to search for him. She went 
by that road along which he had travelled, — on both 
sides forests were growing, birds were singing, and 
tom-cats from over the sea were purring their tales. 
She reached the spot where there were no more trees, 
the road wound out into the open field ; she thought, 
'‘Where has he gone to? Of course he has not 
sunk through the earth.” 

She looked, aside by itself was one of the won- 
derful trees, and under it her dear husband. She 
ran to him, pushed, and tried to rouse him. No, he 
did not wake. She pinched him, stuck pins in his 
side, pricked and pricked him. He did not feel 
the pain, — lay like a corpse without motion. 
16 


even 


242 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


The princess grew angry, and in her anger pro- 
nounced the spell: “ Mayest thou be caught by 
the stormy whirlwind, thou good-for-nothing sleepy 
head, and be borne to places unknown ! ” 

She had barely uttered these words when the wind 
began to whistle, to sound, and in one flash the sol- 
dier was caught up by a boisterous whirlwind and 
borne away from the eyes of the princess. She saw 
too late that she had spoken an evil speech. She 
shed bitter tears, went home, lived alone and lonely. 

The poor soldier was borne by the whirlwind far, 
far away beyond the thrice-ninth land, to the thirtieth 
kingdom, and thrown on a point between two seas ; 
he fell on the very narrowest little wedge. If the 
sleeping man were to turn to the right, or roll to the 
left, that moment he would tumble into the sea, and 
then remember his name. 

The good hero slept out his half year, — moved not 
a finger; and when he woke he sprang straight to his 
feet, looked on both sides. The waves are rolling; 
no end can be seen to the broad sea. He stands in 
doubt, asking himself, “ By what miracle have I come 
to this place? Who dragged me hither?” He turned 
back from the point and came out on an island ; on 
that island was a mountain steep and lofty, touching 
the clouds with its peak, and on the mountain a 
great stone. He came near this mountain and saw 
three devils fighting; blood was just flowing from 
them, and bits of flesh flying. 


The Enchanted Princess, 


243 


** Stop, ye outcasts ! What are ye fighting for? ” 

“ But seest thou our father died three days ago and 
left three wonderful things, — a flying carpet, swift- 
moving boots, and a cap of invisibility ; and we can- 
not divide them.” 

Oh, ye cursed fellows, to fight for such trifles ! 
If ye wish I ’ll divide them between you, and ye shall 
be satisfied ; I ’ll offend no one.” 

Well then, countryman, divide between us if it 
please thee.” 

“ Very good. Run quickly through the pine woods 
and gather one hundred poods of pitch, and bring 
it here.” 

The devils rushed through the pine woods, col- 
lected three hundred poods of pitch, and brought it 
to the soldier. 

‘‘ Now bring me from your own kingdom the very 
largest kettle that is in it.” The devils brought the 
very largest kettle, — one holding forty barrels, — 
and put the pitch into it. The soldier made a fire, 
and when the pitch was boiling he ordered the devils 
to take it on the mountain and pour it out from the 
top to the bottom. The devils did this in a flash. 
‘‘ Now,” said the soldier, “ push that stone there ; let 
it roll from the mountain, and follow it. Whoever 
comes up with it first may take any of the three 
things; whoever comes up second will choose from 
the two remaining ones whichever he likes ; and the 
last wonder will go to the third.” The devils pushed 


244 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


the stone, and it rolled from the mountain quickly, 
quickly. One devil caught up, seized the stone, the 
stone turned, and in a flash put him under it, crushed 
him into the pitch. The second devil caught up, and 
then the third ; and with them it happened as with 
the first, — ' they were driven firmly into the pitch. 

The soldier took under his arm the swift boots and 
the cap of invisibility, sat on the flying carpet, and 
flew off to look for his own country. Whether it was 
long or short, he came to a hut, went in. In the hut 
was sitting a Baba-Yaga, bone-leg, old and toothless. 

Greetings to thee, grandmother ! Tell how I am 
to find my fair princess.” 

** I have not seen her with sight, I have not heard 
of her with hearing ; but pass over so many seas and 
so many lands, and there lives my second sister. 
She knows more than I do; mayhap she can tell 
thee.” 

The soldier sat on his carpet and flew away. He 
had to wander long over the white world. Whenever 
he wanted to eat or drink, he put on the cap of in- 
visibility, let himself down, entered a shop, and took 
what his heart desired ; then to the carpet and off on 
his journey. He came to the second hut, entered ; 
inside was sitting Baba-Yaga, bone-leg, old and tooth- 
less. “ Greeting to thee, grandmother ! Dost thou 
know how I can find my fair princess?” 

“No, my dove, I do not know.” 

“ Ah, thou old hag ! how many years art thou living 



AT LAST HE FLEW TO THE END OF THE WOKLD, WHEEE 
THERE WAS A HUT AND NO ROAD BEYOND. Page 245. 






.*i' M • .f' * H.,*' fv . ^ 

* T- . 



‘ > * ^ '■, 







«'- .V i -.:- > 

w . • ■- 



* 

• ^ 






• V 








» r * 


* , 

r ■* 

•• . .'■ 

. '•* ... • 

•' / 

. ‘IX , 


« » r 
► *.- ' 

» 

/■ ^>-‘11 

;-X' -^'7 •« 

M ■ 



I T 


r# 










A'E^r ,'jS^ ;“X 'X . 


K 

»v 







-. av ' * ' if 




* V 


» 4 \ 


■^m: ■ 


t ■ 




A 


• V 
A 


V * 



.. K'-'. " 

■ ■ ■ 

^ r jJ- 

^ ^ it. TiJ^ ^ 


^ ilr* 

s, ^ 


I 'w-**' 






t A 


. * 

' k.'.^ 


j'-; 


. ‘A’ « 




• , 



^ i 

■ 4 ^V > 


lu^ 



40^ 






■i> 

Cr 


••/-.V«' t r' 


** I " . J^' 

» . *>ij ai^H. 








.? " 
>rfc. 




■* ^ • ;• * 


■i ’I'x’' 

1 .A. li ^ '• 


P' 


• •» 

« . * * 
jA# \ 


v.rr':;r^i 

W‘ ' 








iTr». 4 


***' 1 '^ m * I ^ 


■BH U • fj " i .A. I> • '• ' -.i<M 1 ^ 

1 ^ . -. ' /x - - 

t\}* i*' ;'- ■ ..: ■■• .s* r' 


li'f 


(t 

’ t 


‘.. ■ ^ Vit’ 

-.:v.\: 


,'‘«v 






. . « 

* ^ , 


v- 5 !;^ 

4 ^..V)fV - .:. .. , #'*..• 

A’ ^ .. -^- ' ■ 

17 • ♦ ♦ i ♦ 


iJ V'-'^r. 



. X,:-- ..XXV'i 'II. . 


. X V- .X’,H 




» - 


'mjt. 



V. 




Vi. 




.X vi 



The Enchanted Princess, 


245 


in the world ? All thy teeth cire out, and thou knowest 
no good.” 

He sat on the flying carpet and flew toward the 
eldest sister. Long did he wander, many seas and 
many lands did he see. At last he flew to the end 
of the world, where there was a hut and no road 
beyond, — nothing but outer darkness, nothing to be 
seen. 

“ Well,” thought he, “ if I can get no account here, 
there is nowhere else to fly to.” He went into the 
hut; there a Baba-Yaga was sitting, gray, toothless. 

** Greeting to thee, grandmother ! Tell me where 
must I seek my princess.” 

“ Wait a little ; I will call all my winds together and 
ask them. They blow over all the world, so they 
must know where she is living at present.” 

The old woman went out on the porch, cried with 
a loud voice, whistled with a hero’s whistle. Straight- 
way the stormy winds rose and blew from every side ; 
the hut just quivered. 

“ Quieter, quieter!” cried Baba-Yaga; and as soon 
as the winds had assembled, she said : “ My stormy 
winds, ye blow through all the world. Have ye seen 
the beautiful princess anywhere?” 

“We have not seen her anywhere,” answered the 
winds in one voice. 

“ But are ye all here ? ” 

“ All but South Wind.” 

After waiting a little. South Wind flew up. The old 


246 


Wonder-Tales from Russia* 


woman asked : “ Where hast thou been lost to this 
moment? I could hardly wait for thee.” 

Pardon, grandmother ; I went into a new kingdom, 
where the beautiful princess is living. Her husband 
has vanished without tidings, so now various Tsars 
and Tsars’ sons, kings and kings’ sons are paying 
court to her.” 

“ And how far is it to the new kingdom?” 

“ For a man on foot thirty-five years, ten years 
on wings ; but if I blow I can put a man there in 
three hours.” 

The soldier implored South Wind tearfully to take 
him and bear him to the new kingdom. 

“ I will, if it please thee,” said South Wind, ‘‘ pro- 
vided thou wilt let me run around in thy kingdom 
three days and three nights as I like.” 

“ Frolic three weeks if thou choosest.” 

“ Well, I will rest for two or three days, collect my 
forces and my strength, and then for the road ! ” 

South Wind rested, collected his strength, and 
said to the soldier: “Well, brother, make ready, 
we’ll go straightway; but look out, have no fear, 
thou wilt arrive in safety.” 

All at once a mighty whirlwind whistled and roared, 
caught the soldier into the air, and bore him over 
mountains and seas up to the very clouds; and in 
three hours exactly he was in the new kingdom, 
where his beautiful princess was living. South Wind 
said, — 


The Enchanted Princess, 


247 


“ Farewell, good hero; out of compassion for thee 
I will not frolic in thy kingdom.” 

“ Why is that? ” 

“ Because if I frolic, not one house will be standing 
in the town, not one tree in the gardens; I should 
put everything bottom upward.” 

Farewell then ; God save thee ! ” said the soldier, 
who put on his cap of invisibility and went to the white- 
walled castle. Behold, while he was absent from the 
kingdom all the trees in the garden had stood with 
withered tops, and the moment he appeared they came 
to life and began to bloom. He entered the great 
hall ; there were sitting at the table various Tsars and 
Tsars’ sons, kings and kings’ sons who had come to 
pay court to the beautiful princess. They were sitting 
and entertaining themselves with sweet wines. Who- 
ever filled a glass and raised it to his lips, the soldier 
that moment struck it with his fist and knocked it 
from his hand. All the guests wondered at this ; but 
the beautiful princess understood in a moment the 
reason. 

“ Surely,” thought she, “ my friend is here.” She 
looked through the window; all the tree-tops in the 
garden had come to life, and she gave a riddle to the 
guests. ‘‘ I had a home-made casket with a golden 
key ; I lost this key, and did not think to find it : but 
now this key has found itself. Who guesses the riddle, 
him will I marry.” 

The Tsars and Tsars’ sons, the kings and kings’ 


248 TVonder-Tales from Russia, 


sons were long breaking their wise heads over this 
riddle, and could not solve it in any way. 

The princess said : “ Show thyself, dear friend.” 

The soldier removed his cap of invisibility, took 
her by the white hand, and began to kiss her on the 
sweet mouth. 

“ Here is the riddle for you,” said the fair princess : 
“ I am the home-made casket, and the golden key is 
my faithful husband.” 

The wooers had to turn their wagon-shafts around. 
They all drove home, and the princess began to live 
with her husband, to live and win wealth. 


VASSILISSA THE CUNNING AND THE TSAR 
OF THE SEA. 


PEASANT sowed rye, and the Lord gave him 



a wonderful harvest. He could barely bring 
it in from the field. He drew the bundles home, 
threshed the grain, and poured it into bins ; his gra- 
nary was full to the brim. When he was pouring it 
in, he thought, “ Now I shall live without trouble.” 

A mouse and a sparrow used to visit that peasant’s 
barn; every one of God’s days they came about five 
times, ate all they could, and then went out. The 
mouse Would spring into her hole, and the sparrow 
fly away to his nest. They lived together in this 
way in friendship for three whole years, ate up all 
the grain ; there remained only a mere trifle, about 
eight bushels, not more. 

The mouse saw that the supply was drawing to an 
end, and began to contrive how to deceive the spar- 
row and get possession of all that was left. And the 
mouse succeeded. She came in the dark night-time, 
gnawed a great hole in a plank, and let all the rye 
down through the floor to the last grain. Next 
morning the sparrow came to the granary to have 
breakfast; looked, there was nothing! The poor 


250 


Wonder-Tales from Russia 


fellow flew out hungry, and thought to himself, Oh, 
the cursed creature, she has deceived me ! I will fly 
now to her sovereign, the lion, and present a petition 
against the mouse ; let the lion pass judgment on us 
in justice.” 

So he started and flew to the lion. “ Lion, Tsar of 
beasts,” said the sparrow, beating to him with the 
forehead, “ I lived with one of thy beasts, the strong- 
toothed mouse. We lived for three years in one 
barn and had no dispute. But when the supply be- 
gan to come to an end, she went to playing tricks, 
gnawed a hole through the floor, and let all the 
grain down to herself, — left me, poor fellow, to be 
hungry. Judge us in truth; if not, I will fly to seek 
justice and reparation from my own Tsar, the eagle.” 

“ Well, fly off, with God ! ” said the lion. 

The sparrow rushed with his petition to the eagle, 
related the whole offence, how the mouse had stolen 
and the lion had upheld her. The eagle grew 
fiercely angry, and sent a swift courier to the lion 
straightway : “ Come to-morrow with thy army of 
beasts to such and such a field ; I will assemble all 
the birds and give battle.” 

Nothing to be done, the lion made a great call and 
summoned the beasts to battle. There were assem- 
bled of them seen and unseen. As soon as they 
came to the open field, the eagle flew upon them with 
his winged warriors like a cloud from heaven. A 
great battle began. They fought for three hours and 


Vassilissa and the Tsar. 


251 


three minutes, and the eagle Tsar conquered ; he 
covered the whole field with bodies of beasts. Then 
he sent his birds to their homes, and flew himself to 
a slumbering forest, sat on a lofty oak, bruised and 
wounded, and began to think seriously how to regain 
his former strength. 

This was a long time ago. There lived then a mer- 
chant with his wife, and they had not a single child. 
The merchant rose up one morning and said to his 
wife : ** I have had a bad dream. I thought that a 
great bird fastened on me, — one that eats a whole ox 
at a meal and drinks a pailful ; and it was impossible 
to get rid of the bird, impossible not to feed it. I ’ll 
go to the forest; mayhap the walk will cheer me.” 

He took his gun and went to the forest. Whether 
he wandered long or short in that forest, he wandered 
till he came to an oak-tree, saw an eagle, and was 
going to shoot it. 

“ Kill me not, good hero,” said the eagle, in a hu- 
man voice. “ If thou kill me, small will be thy profit. 
Better take me home, feed me for three years, three 
months, and three days. I shall recover at thy house, 
shall let my wings grow, regain my strength, and re- 
pay thee with good.” 

“What pay can one expect from an eagle?” 
thought the merchant, and aimed a second time. 
The eagle spoke as at first. The merchant aimed a 
third time, and again the eagle begged, — 


252 Wonder-Tales from Russia, 

'‘Kill me not, good hero! Feed me three years, 
three months, and three days; when I have recov- 
ered, when my wings have grown, and I have re- 
gained my strength, I ’ll repay thee with good.” 

The merchant took pity on the eagle, carried him 
home, killed an ox, and poured out a pailful of mead. 
“ This will serve the eagle for a long time,” thought 
he ; but the eagle ate and drank all at one meal. A 
bad time to the merchant ; from the unbidden guest 
utter ruin. 

The eagle saw the merchant’s loss and said : 
“ Hear me, my host I Go to the open field. Thou 
wilt find there many beasts killed and wounded. 
Take their rich furs, bear them to the town to sell. 
Get food for thyself and me, and there will be some 
left for a supply.” 

The merchant went into the open field and saw 
many animals lying there, some slain and some 
wounded. He took the dearest furs, carried them 
to town to sell, and sold them for much money. 

A year passed. The eagle said : “ Bear me to that 
place where the lofty oaks are standing.” 

The merchant got his wagon ready and took him 
to that place. The eagle rose above the clouds, and 
when he swooped down, he struck a tree with his 
breast, the oak was split in two. “ Well, merchant, 
good hero,” said the eagle, “ I have not regained 
my former strength ; feed me another round year.” 

Another year passed. Again the eagle rose be 


Vasstltssa and the Tsar. 


253 


yond the dark clouds, shot down from above, struck 
the tree with his breast, split the oak into small 
pieces. “ Merchant, good hero, thou must feed me 
another whole year ; I have not regained my former 
strength ! ” 

When three years, three months, and three days 
had passed, the eagle said to the merchant: “Take 
me again to the same place, — to the lofty oaks.” 
The merchant carried him to the lofty oaks. The 
eagle soared higher than before; like a mighty whirl- 
wind he struck from above the largest oak, broke it 
into small bits from the top to the root, — indeed, the 
forest was reeling all around. “ God save thee, mer- 
chant, good hero!” said the eagle; “now all my 
former strength is with me. Leave thy horse, sit on 
my wings ; I will bear thee to my own land, and pay 
thee for all the good thou hast done.” The merchant 
sat on his wings, the eagle bore him out on the blue 
sea, and he rose high, high. “ Look now,” said he, 
“ on the blue sea. Is it wide? ” 

“ As a cart-wheel,” answered the merchant. 

The ^agle shook his wings and threw the mer- 
chant, let him fall, gave him to feel mortal terror, 
and caught him before he had reached the water, — 
caught him, and rose still higher. “ Look on the 
blue sea. Is it great?” 

“ As a hen’s egg.” 

The eagle shook his wings, threw the merchant, 
let him fall, but did not let him reach the water, 


254 


Wonder- Tales from Russia, 


caught him, and rose up higher than ever. “ Look 
on the blue sea. Is it great? ” 

As a poppy seed.” 

A third time the eagle shook his wings and threw 
the merchant from under the heavens ; still he did n’t 
let him reach the water, caught him, and asked: 
‘‘Well, merchant, good hero, hast thou felt what 
mortal terror is ? ” 

“ I have,” said the merchant ; “ and I thought I 
was lost forever.” 

“ And so did I when thou wert pointing thy gun 
at me.” 

The eagle flew with the merchant beyond the sea, 
straight to the copper kingdom. “ Behold, my eld- 
est sister lives here ! ” said the eagle. “ When we 
shall be guests with her, and she brings presents, 
take nothing, but ask for the copper casket.” The 
eagle said this, struck the damp earth, turned into 
a gallant hero. 

They went through the broad court. The sister saw 
him, and was delighted. “ Oh, my own brother, how 
has God brought thee? I have not seen thee for 
three years and more ; I thought thou wert lost for- 
ever. How can I entertain thee? How can I feast 
thee?” 

“ Entertain not me, my dear sister, I am at home 
in thy house; but entreat and entertain this good 
hero. He gave me meat and drink for three years, 
— did not let me die of hunger.” 


Vasszltssa azid the Tsar, 


255 


She seated them at the oaken table, at the spread 
cloth; she feasted and entertained them, then led 
them to her treasure-chambers, showed treasures in- 
calculable, and said to the merchant : “ Good hero, 
here are gold, silver, and precious stones ; take what 
thy soul desires.” 

The merchant gave answer ; “ I need neither gold, 
silver, nor precious stones. Give me the copper 
casket.” 

‘‘ Thou ’It not get it ; that is not the boot for thy 
foot.” 

The brother was angry at his sister’s words; he 
turned into an eagle, — a swift bird, — caught the 
merchant, and flew away. 

‘‘ Oh, my own brother, come back ! ” cried the 
sister. “ I ’ll not stand for the casket.” 

“ Thou art late, sister ! ” 

The eagle flew through the air. “ Look, merchant, 
good hero, what is behind us and what before ? ” 

“Behind, a fire is in sight; before us flowers are 
blooming.” 

“That is the copper kingdom in flames, and the 
flowers are blooming in the silver kingdom of my 
second sister. When we are her guests, and she 
offers gifts, take nothing, but ask for the silver 
casket.” The eagle came, struck the damp earth, 
and become a good hero. 

“ Oh, my own brother,” said his sister, “ whence 
hast come; where wert thou lost; why hast thou 


256 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


been so long without visiting me; with what can I 
serve thee ? 

“ Entreat me not, entertain me not, my dear sister, 
I am at home with thee ; but entreat and entertain 
this good hero, who gave me meat and drink for 
three years, and did not let me die of hunger.” 

She seated them at the oaken tables at spread 
cloths, entertained and feasted them, then led them 
to treasure-chambers. “ Here are gold and silver 
and precious stones; take, merchant, what thy soul 
desires.” 

“ I want neither gold, silver, nor precious stones. 
Give me only the silver casket.” 

“No, good hero, thy desire is not for the right 
morsel; thou mightest choke thyself.” 

The eagle brother was angry, caught up the mer- 
chant, and flew away. 

“ Oh, my own brother, come back ! I will not 
stand for the casket.” 

“ Thou art late, sister ! ” 

Again the eagle flew under the heavens. “ See, 
merchant, good hero, what is behind us, what is 
before ? ” 

“ Behind us a fire is blazing ; before us are flowers 
in bloom.” 

“ That is the silver kingdom in flames ; but the 
flowers are blooming in the golden kingdom of my 
youngest sister. When we are her guests, and she 
offers gifts, take nothing ; ask only the golden casket.” 


Vassilissa and the Tsar. 


257 


The eagle came to the golden kingdom and turned 
into a good hero. 

“ Oh, my own brother,” said the sister, whence 
hast thou come ? Where hast thou vanished so long 
that thou hast not visited me? With what shall I 
feast thee ? ” 

“ Entreat me not, feast me not, I am at home ; but 
entreat and feast this merchant, good hero. He gave 
me meat and drink for three years, — saved me from 
hunger.” 

She seated them at the oaken table, at the spread 
cloth, entertained them, feasted them, led the mer- 
chant to her treasure-chambers, offered him gold, 
silver, and precious stones. 

‘‘ I need nothing ; give me only the golden casket.” 

Take it for thy happiness. Thou didst give 
meat and drink to my brother for three years, and 
didst save him from hunger; I regret nothing that is 
spent on my brother.” 

So the merchant lived and feasted a while in the 
golden kingdom, till the time came for parting, for 
taking the road. 

'' Farewell,” said the eagle ; “ think not on me with 
harsh feeling, but see that the casket is not opened 
till thou art at home.” 

The merchant journeyed homeward. Whether it 
was long or short, he grew tired and wished to rest. 
He stopped in a strange meadow on the land of the 
Tsar of the Sea; he looked and looked at the golden 

17 


258 


Wonder- Tales from Russia, 


casket, could n’t endure, opened it. That moment, 
wherever it came from, there stood before him a 
great castle all painted, a multitude of servants 
appeared, inquiring : “ What dost thou wish for ; 
what dost thou want?” The merchant, good hero, 
ate his fill, drank enough, and lay down to sleep. 
The Tsar of the Sea saw that there was a great castle 
on his land, and he sent messengers: “ Go see what 
sort of an insolent fellow has come and built a castle 
on my land without leave ; let him go off at once in 
health and safety.” 

When such a threatening word came to the mer- 
chant he began to think and conjecture how to put 
the castle into the casket as before ; he thought and 
thought, — no, he could do nothing. “ I should be glad 
to go away,” said he, “ but how, I can’t think myself.” 

The messengers returned, and reported all to the 
Tsar of the Sea. “ Let him give me what he has at 
home but knows it not ; I will put his palace in the 
golden casket.” 

There was no other way, and so the merchant 
promised with an oath to give what he had at home 
but knew it not. The TSar of the Sea put the palace 
in the golden casket at once. The merchant took 
the casket and went his way. Whether it was long 
or short, he came home, his wife met him. “ Oh, be 
thou hearty, my world. Where wert thou lost? ” 
Well, where I was I am not now.” 

“ But while thou wert gone the Lord gave us a son.” 


Vassilzssa and the Tsar, 


259 


“ Ah ! that is what was at home and I knew it not,” 
thought the merchant; and he grew very sad and 
sorrowful. 

“What is the matter? Art thou not glad to be 
here ? ” insisted his wife. 

“Not that,” said the merchant; and he told her all 
that had happened to him, and they grieved and wept 
together. But people of course cannot cry all their 
lives. The merchant opened his golden casket, and 
before them stood a great castle cunningly adorned, 
and he began to live with his wife and son and gain 
wealth. 

Ten years passed and more; the merchant's son 
grew up, became wise, fine-looking, a splendid fellow. 
One morning he rose up in sadness and said to his 
father : “ My father, I had a bad dream last night. 
I dreamed of the Tsar of the Sea; he commanded 
me to come to him. * I am waiting long,’ said he ; 

* it is time to know thy honor.’ ” 

The father and mother shed tears, gave him their 
parental blessing, and let him go to a strange land. 
He went along the road, along the broad road; he 
walked over clear fields and wide steppes, and came 
to a dreamy forest. It was empty all around, not a 
soul to be seen; but there stood a small cabin by 
itself, with front to the forest and back to Ivan. 
“ Cabin, cabin,” said he, “ turn thy back to the forest, 
thy front to me.” The cabin obeyed, and turned its 
back to the forest, its front to Ivan. He entered the 


26 o 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


cabin, inside was Baba-Yaga, bone-leg, lying from 
corner to corner. Baba-Yaga saw him and said: 
“ Before now, nothing of Russia was heard with hear- 
ing or seen with sight, but now Russia runs to our 
eyes. Whence dost thou come, good hero, and where 
dost thou bear thy way?” 

‘‘ Oh, thou old hag, thou hast given neither meat 
nor drink to a wayfaring man, and art asking for 
news ! ” 

Baba-Yaga put drink on the table and various 
meats ; she fed him, she gave him to drink, and put 
him to rest. Early next morning she roused him, 
and then she put questions. Ivan the merchant’s son 
told the whole secret, and said: “Teach me, grand- 
mother, how to go to the Tsar of the Sea.” 

“ It is well that thou hast come to me ; hadst thou 
not, thou wouldst have lost thy life, for the Tsar of the 
Sea is terribly angry because thou didst not go to him 
long ago. Listen to me : go by this path ; thou wilt 
come to a lake, hide behind a tree and wait a while. 
Three beautiful doves, maidens, will fly there, — they 
are the daughters of the Tsar of the Sea ; they will 
loose their wings, undress, and bathe in the lake. One 
will have many-colored wings: watch the moment, 
seize the wings, and do not give them up till she 
consents to marry thee ; then all will be right.” 

Ivan the merchant’s son took farewell of Baba- 
Yaga and travelled the path she had shown, walked 
and walked, saw the lake, hid himself behind a 


Vasstlzssa and the Tsar. 


261 


thick tree. After a time three doves came flying, 
one with many-colored wings ; they struck the earth, 
turned into beautiful maidens, removed their wings, 
and took off their dresses. Ivan the merchant’s son 
kept his eyes open ; he crept up in silence and took 
the many-colored wings. He watched to see what 
would happen. The fair maidens bathed, came out 
of the water, two of them dressed straightway, put on 
their wings, turned into doves, and flew away. The 
third remained to find her wings. She searched, 
singing the while : “ Tell who thou art, thou who 
hast taken my wings ! If an old man, thou wilt be a 
father to me ; if of middle years, my uncle dear ; if 
a good youth, I will marry thee.” 

Ivan the merchant’s son came from behind the 
tree. ‘‘ Here are thy wings ! ” 

“ Now tell me, good youth, betrothed husband, of 
what stock or race art thou, and whither dost thou 
bear thy way?” 

I am Ivan the merchant’s son, and I am going to 
thy own father, to the Tsar of the Sea.” 

And my name is Vassilissa the Cunning.” 

Now, Vassilissa was the favorite daughter of the 
Tsar, and was first in mind and beauty. She showed 
her bridegroom how to go to the Tsar of the Sea, 
sprang away as a dove, and flew after her sisters. 

Ivan the merchant’s son came to the Tsar of the 
Sea, who made him serve in the kitchen, cut wood, 
and draw water. Chumichka, the cook, did not like 


262 


Wonder- Tales from Russia, 


him, and told lies to the Tsar. “ Your Majesty,’* said 
he, “ Ivan the merchant’s son boasts that in one night 
he can cut down a great dense forest, pile the logs in 
heaps, dig out the roots, plough the land, sow it with 
wheat, reap that wheat, thresh it, grind it into flour, 
make cakes of the flour, and give these cakes to your 
Majesty at breakfast next morning.” 

“ Well,” said the Tsar, “call him to me.” 

Ivan the merchant’s son came. 

“ Why art thou boasting that in one night thou 
canst cut down a thick forest, plough the land just 
like a clean field, sow it with wheat, reap the wheat, 
thresh it, and make it into flour, the flour into cakes 
for my breakfast next morning? See that by to- 
morrow morning this is all done; if not, I have a 
sword, and thy head leaves thy shoulders.” 

No matter how Ivan protested, it was no use; 
the order was given, it had to be carried out. He 
went away from the Tsar, and hung his stormy head 
from grief. Vassilissa the Cunning, the daughter 
of the Tsar, saw him, and asked: “Why art thou 
grieved ? ” 

“What is the use in telling thee? Thou couldst 
not cure my sorrow ! ” 

“ How knowest? Maybe I can.” 

Ivan the merchant’s son told her what task the 
Tsar had put on him. 

“ What task is that ! That is a pleasure, — the 
task is ahead. Go thy way; pray to God and lie 


Vassilissa and the Tsar. 


263 


down to rest ; the morning is wiser than the evening ; 
toward daylight all will be ready.” 

Just at midnight Vassilissa the Cunning went out 
on the great porch and cried in a piercing voice. In 
one moment laborers ran together from every side, 
— myriads of them ; one was felling a tree, another 
digging out roots, another ploughing the land. In 
one place they were sowing, in another reaping and 
threshing; a pillar of dust went up to the sky, 
and at daybreak the grain was ground, the cakes 
baked. Ivan took the cakes to the breakfast of the 
Tsar. 

“ Spendid fellow ! ” said the Tsar ; and he gave 
command to reward him from his own treasure. 

Chumichka the cook was angrier than ever at 
Ivan, began to talk against him again. Your Ma- 
jesty, Ivan the merchant's son boasts that in one 
night he can make a ship that will fly through the 
air.” 

‘^Well, call him hither.” 

They called Ivan the merchant’s son. 

‘‘ Why boast to my servants that in one night thou 
canst make a wonderful ship that will fly through the 
air, and say nothing to me ? See this ship is ready 
by morning; if not, I have a sword, and thy head 
leaves thy shoulders.” 

Ivan the merchant's son from sorrow hung his 
stormy head lower than his shoulders, and went from 
the Tsar beside himself. Vassilissa the Cunning said 


264 Wonder-Tales from Russia, 

to him : “ Of what art thou grieving ; why art thou 
sad?” 

“ Why should I not be sad ? The Tsar of the Sea 
has commanded me to build in one night a ship that 
will fly through the air.” 

“What sort of task is that? That is not a task, 
but a pleasure ; the task is ahead. Go thy way ; lie 
down and rest : the morning is wiser than the even- 
ing ; at daybreak all will be done.” 

At midnight Vassilissa the Cunning went out on 
the great porch, cried in a piercing voice. In a mo- 
ment carpenters ran together from every side ; they 
began to pound with their axes, and the work was 
seething quickly. Toward morning all was ready. 

“ A hero ! ” said the Tsar. “ Come, now we will 
take a trip.” 

They sat on the ship together, and took as a third 
companion Chumichka the cook; and they flew 
through the air. When they were flying over the 
place of wild beasts the cook bent over the side 
to look out. Ivan the merchant’s son pushed him 
from the ship that moment. The savage beasts tore 
him into little bits. “ Oh,” cried Ivan the merchant’s 
son, “ Chumichka has fallen off! ” 

“The devil be with him,” said the Tsar of the Sea; 
“ to a dog, a dog’s death I ” They came back to the 
palace. “ Thou art skilful, Ivan,” said the Tsar ; 
“ here is a third task for thee. Break my unridden 
stallion so that he will go under a rider. If thou 


Vassilissa and the Tsar, 


265 


wilt break him I will give thee my daughter in mar- 
riage ; if not, I have a sword, and thy head leaves 
thy shoulders.’* 

“ Now that is an easy task,” thought Ivan the 
merchant’s son. He went away from the Tsar laugh- 
ing. Vassilissa the Cunning saw him and asked about 
everything ; he told her. 

“ Thou art not wise, Ivan,” said she ; now a diffi- 
cult task is given thee, — no easy labor. That stal- 
lion will be the Tsar himself: he will carry thee 
through the air above the standing forest, below the 
passing cloud, and scatter thy bones over the open 
field. Go quickly to the blacksmiths, order them to 
make for thee an iron hammer three poods in weight, 
and when thou art sitting on the stallion hold firmly 
and beat him on the head with the iron hammer.” 

Next day the grooms brought out the unridden 
stallion. They were barely able to hold him; he 
snorted, rushed, and reared. The moment Ivan sat 
on him he rose above the standing forest, below the 
passing cloud, flew through the air more swiftly than 
strong wind. The rider held firmly, beating him all 
the time on the head with the hammer. The stallion 
struggled beyond his power, and dropped to the 
damp earth. Ivan the merchant’s son gave the stal- 
lion to the grooms, drew breath himself, and went 
to the palace. The Tsar of the Sea met him with 
bound head. 

‘‘ I have ridden the horse, your Majesty.” 


266 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


“ Well, come to-morrow to choose thy bride ; but 
now my head aches.” 

Next morning Vassilissa the Cunning said to Ivan 
the merchant’s son, There are three sisters of us 
with our father; he will turn us into mares, and 
make thee select. Be careful, take notice; on my 
bridle one of the spangles will be dim. Then he will 
let us out as doves ; my sisters will pick buckwheat 
very quietly, but I will not, — I will clap my wings,. 
The third time he will bring us out as three maidens, 
one like the other in face, in stature, and hair. I 
will shake my handkerchief; by that thou mayest 
know me.” 

The Tsar brought out the three mares, one just 
like the other, put them in a row. Take the one 
that pleases thee,” said the Tsar. 

Ivan the merchant’s son examined them carefully. 
He saw that on one bridle a spangle had grown dim ; 
he caught that bridle and said, “ This is my bride.” 

** Thou hast taken a bad one ; thou mayest choose 
a better.” 

“ No use, this will do for me.” 

“ Choose a second time.” 

The Tsar let out three doves just alike, and scat- 
tered buckwheat before them. Ivan saw that one of 
them was shaking her wings all the time. He caught 
her by the wing and said, This is my bride.” 

‘‘ Thou hast not taken the right piece ; thou wilt 
choke thyself. Choose a third time.” 


Vassilissa and the Tsar, 


267 


He brought out three maidens, one like the other 
in face, in stature, and hair. Ivan the merchant’s son 
saw that one waved her handkerchief; he seized her 
by the hand, This is my bride.” 

There was nothing to be done. The Tsar could 
not help himself, gave Vassilissa the Cunning to 
Ivan, and they had a joyous wedding. 

Not much nor little time had passed when Ivan 
thought of escaping to his own country with Vassilissa 
the Cunning. They saddled their horses and rode 
away in the dark night. In the morning the Tsar dis- 
covered their flight and sent a pursuing party. 

Drop down to the damp earth,” said Vassilissa 
the Cunning to her husband ; “ perhaps thou wilt 
hear something.” 

He dropped to the earth, listened, and answered: 
** I hear the neighing of horses.” 

Vassilissa turned him into a garden, and herself 
into a head of cabbage. The pursuers returned to 
the Tsar empty-handed. “ Your Majesty, there is 
nothing to be seen in the open country ; we saw only 
a garden, and in the garden a head of cabbage.” 

“ Go on, bring me that head of cabbage ; that is 
their tricks.” 

Again the pursuers galloped on; again Ivan 
dropped down to the damp earth. “ I hear,” said he, 
“the neighing of horses.” Vassilissa the Cunning 
made herself a well, and turned Ivan into a bright 
falcon ; the falcon was sitting on the brink, drinking 


268 


Wonder-Tales from Russia, 


water. The pursuers came to the well ; there was no 
road beyond, and they turned back. 

Your Majesty, there is nothing to be seen in the 
open country; we saw only a well, and a bright 
falcon was drinking water out of that well.” 

The Tsar himself galloped a long time to over- 
take them. 

“ Drop down to the damp earth ; perhaps thou 
wilt hear something,” said Vassilissa the Cunning to 
her husband. 

There is a hammering and thundering greater 
than before.” 

“ That is my father chasing us. I know not, I 
cannot think what to do.” 

Vassilissa the Cunning had three things, — a brush, 
a comb, and a towel. She remembered them, and 
said : “ God is yet merciful ; I have still defence before 
the Tsar.” She threw the brush behind her : it 
became a great drowsy forest ; a man could not put 
his hand through, could not ride around it in three 
years. Behold, the Tsar of the Sea gnawed and 
gnawed the drowsy forest, made a path for himself, 
burst through it, and was again in pursuit. He is 
drawing near them, has only to seize them with his 
hand. Vassilissa threw her comb behind, and it 
became such a great lofty mountain that a man could 
neither pass over it nor go around it. 

The Tsar of the Sea dug and dug in the mountain, 
made a path, and again chased after them. Then 


Vassilissa and the Tsar, 


269 


Vassilissa the Cunning threw the towel behind her, 
and it became a great, great sea. The Tsar galloped 
up to the sea, saw the road was stopped, and turned 
homeward. 

Ivan the merchant’s son was near home, and said 
to Vassilissa the Cunning: ‘‘ I will go ahead, tell my 
father and mother about thee, and do thou wait here.” 

‘‘See to it,” said Vassilissa the Cunning, “when 
thou art home, kiss all but thy godmother; if thou 
kiss her thou ’It forget me.” 

Ivan came home, kissed all in delight, kissed his 
godmother, and forgot Vassilissa. She stood there, 
poor thing, on the road, waited and waited; Ivan 
did not come for her. She went to the town and 
hired to do work for an old woman. 

Ivan thought of marrying ; he found a bride, and 
arranged a feast for the whole world 

Vassilissa heard this, dressed herself as a beggar, 
and came to the merchant’s house to beg alms. 

“ Wait,” said the merchant’s wife ; “ I ’ll bake thee 
a small cake instead of cutting the big one.” 

“ God save thee for that, mother ! ” said Vassilissa. 

But the great cake got burnt, and the small one 
came out nicely. The merchant’s wife gave Vassilissa 
the burnt cake and put the small one on the table. 
They cut that cake, and immediately two pigeons 
flew out. 

^ Mir means in Russian the “ world,” the “ universe ; ” and 
also the “ commune,” or village society. 


270 


Wonder-Tales from Russia. 


Kiss me,” said the cock-pigeon to the other. 

“ No, thou wilt forget me, as Ivan the merchant’s 
son forgot Vassilissa the Cunning.” 

And the second and the third time he asked, “ Kiss 
me.” 

“ No, thou ’It forget me, as Ivan the merchant’s son 
forgot Vassilissa the Cunning.” 

Ivan remembered then ; he knew who the beggar 
was, and said to his father and mother : “ This is my 
wife.” 

“ Well, if thou hast a wife, then live with her.” 

They gave rich presents to the new bride, and let 
her go home ; but Ivan the merchant’s son lived with 
Vassilissa the Cunning, gained wealth, and shunned 
trouble. 















( 


I 


I 




r • * 

«' t 



► 




■ • I 

r I 


V ■' 


v., 


i.fl 


• •’ 



; 

«( 




• V > r. 


YJi- 




# * ^ 




LVl 4 ' ^ * . *.^ W ' ' , pu *r y !>• }j JJM V 4 ^ 'O'* > ‘ MB r « yMo V'/'-’* 4* 1 

'.:. i ■ , ,:. r ■ ; i ■ S..' 





l.f-S ■: 'V’“ ■.-.^v>r'‘\ 

SEBfflffiSv' ‘i ' , ‘M ' 


W'fr '.S';;:'.' 






i«t/' - ‘ • 


^.'uBmill' ' < ’ ' r 

) . ^ . ' ' 1 ' 'l- ''‘'V'' '• I ' . ' ' ‘ , ' 1 

'X:.f 'C'':‘'v'^ 

V:> " 4 m. -'f'.''' h . ■ 

• . •' . '. - * ■■ 






.pt, 


* 'H.,A ^- 


*5 : 

!. /••; V . >: '• 

C)' • • ' 

'V ■■ ■'^V' ,': ' 

V ) t ' 'r i'f'. .♦ . , . . .r .• 

jra ■ 

‘J'’--' - - I ' 

I 


“ -».r’ ■ .. li 


s' 











-f' 


’■ .V . 

^.;V V i;'’ " .'■' ' 




'• v*'jfcs^i?^SII^' i*\^' ! 

ri S%s ^ , i ^ BBW® VA»^>V • '* 

y ■SM' ■ :r ' 



„• ', 111 *.* ' 

1 

wfcF'^r^ 

y • } , < , , J 

T« . .h- , 1 ' ' l.ff 

I/A '”•' ■ .'<>'■> 'I ,!J 

t'! ./'I'r-V' '['i i 


d' ‘ 

R'y,' . • ■ ■ 1 »; '4 

'" ■'■' ‘ •' . • 'I Ji O j . i 


'■ v>, ; // 

. •i).-*-L.. ' . ;, .- / w 


’ ^v. :' / •' 

■ ■■• ' . ' v'^- 








